I’m not 100% positive, but from reading this article it looks like the servicing mission to Hubble will be the last flight of Atlantis. After that, it will be decommissioned.
Wow. I mean, I’ve known we’ll be stopping Shuttle flights, and the time is rapidly approaching (let’s see if NASA can stick with the 2010 deadline– I’m actually rather hoping it extends past that a bit to make the gap between the last Shuttle and the first Ares a bit smaller). But to actually hear the news… well, the times they are a’changing.
January 16th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Reminds me of hearing that the F-14s were being retired as well. I recall that last catapult launch the squadron had from my ship did.
Anyway, it’s a bit emotional, knowing that what could probably be called the flagships of the US space program are going into retirement. I wonder what will become of the shuttles afterward.
But at the same time, I’m really looking forward to seeing the Orion and Ares fly. The looks are nostalgic for me; I feel that happy days will be here again.
January 16th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
I hope the remaining shuttles will be exhibited rather than scrapped.
January 17th, 2007 at 2:28 am
I rather hope that NASA will not be forced to stick to the 2010 deadline. Leaving the ISS incomplete would be illogical but on the other hand rushing to meet a deadline was part of the problem that lead to the loss of Challenger and her crew.
csrester, there is no way that NASA will srcap the orbiters. I am certain they will be put on display (Enterprise is already on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington Dulles Airport).
January 17th, 2007 at 7:07 am
For what I read atlantis is to be as scrap parts for the remaining shuttles, enterprise never went into space it was a test version of the shuttle it was suppose to be refitted but the expense was to high to make it space worthy.
January 17th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Man, that’s cutting it close. What happens if ther’s a mis-step? Will the Hubble be put on indefinte hold to accomodate some other emergency? Sheese, we really need overlap,,,
Gary 7
January 17th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Need to think positive.
At least Hubble is getting a fix.
January 18th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Things to keep in mind, in order to dock with the ISS, the shuttles require a docking module and external airlock that sit in the payload bay. In order to dock with Hubble and service it, that airlock cannot be in the payload bay. Originally Columbia was slated to be the Hubble servicing orbiter because it did not have the airlock/docking module installed, and as the heaviest orbiter it would be most limited in ability to support ISS.
I’m concerned about Bush’s plan not having an overlap. I haven’t really seen a good description of what the ISS servicing between the gap is supposed to be.
I’m a little surprised they would take one out of the rotation then, but I guess if the close out deadline is 2010 and they stay on schedule, they can support the launch turnarounds with 2 orbiters. Seems rushed to me. But I suppose that’s considered part of the “transition” to allow some Shuttle funds to start shifting to the Constellation Program. It will definitely be a dicey job situation for launch servicing crews. The new program systems will be in development (if that far) and thus not ready to hire. If NASA can’t use the personnel to continue to support the ISS build schedule, there may be layoffs. There will be new jobs picking up with the new programs, but maybe not for the same particular segment of the workforce.