It really hasn't hit me yet that this is the last space shuttle mission. I am sure that if I still worked out at Kennedy Space Center, I would most definitely have that eerie feeling as the co-workers you worked with for so long start taking different paths and the workload starts decreasing. You don't realize how much of the country is in the dark about spaceflight until you're not in states like Florida or Texas where shuttle missions and spaceflight are always in the news.
Space Shuttle Atlantis is the shuttle that I worked on the most as a lead for the Thermal Protection System. I worked with an amazing team, learned so much, and am grateful to have worked on what has always been a key part to the United States history, spaceflight. Hopefully we will establish a path forward to continue our spaceflight exploration efforts.
Even though there is a high chance of rain in the forecast for tomorrow (70%), NASA is pressing along with flight preparations. If all goes as planned, The last shuttle flight will take off tomorrow from Kennedy Space Center at 11:26am EDT.
4 comments:
Hey Damaris :) I'm in California.. definitely not as much shuttle mission and spaceflight reports in the news. I'mreally sad about the last mission. It always seemed super risky and I never knew there were soo many missions going on constantly. It's weird to think about what might replace 'astronaut' on that list of things kids always want to be when they grow up :) http://1000memories.com/nasa-space-shuttle/ <-- cool too. What does that mean for you? Are you going to pursue commercial space flight?
Yes, this has been a very strange week for space enthusiasts. :-(
I confess I'm pretty bad about keeping track of people, and I didn't realize you were no longer working on TPS at NASA. So: greetings, and good luck.
It would be understandable if you didn't remember, but you once sent a package of spacey swag to my daughter, which she enjoyed the heck out of, *still* talks about sometimes, and I think she's got one of the mission patches stitched to her school backpack. Oh yes: we will continue.
It's over, turn the lights of and shut the door behind when you leave. We are no longer a space-faring nation. JFK must be turning in his grave now.
Sad, very sad day, today.
You should check the listings out.
http://www.spacex.com/careers.php
Post a Comment