The launch of the last mission for the shuttle program was going to be scrubbed due to a tropical wave forecast to come in at just the wrong time. Everybody knew the weather forecast was bad, all the meteorologists,most of the plain ol` weathermen, and for sure everyone at the press area- a 30% chance of launch was the best case scenario. NASA did what they do- they went about the business of preparing a safe vehicle mission. About an hour before launch, word came from NASA that the weather was beginning to look a little better, spirits were lifted and the media folks began to think that Atlantis just might fly. Twenty minutes before launch word came over that the weather at one of the required alternate landing sites was not acceptable and the launch was in no-go status Minutes later that decision was reversed and the countdown continued. 45 seconds before launch, everyone is getting ready, the press area is strangely quiet – then at 31 seconds the countdown is stopped Due to a “failure” -the computer detected something at the launch structure did not retract properly, you could hear a collective groan all around. NASA re-directed a camera a the site and verified the offending part did retract properly and the countdown clock resumed at 31 seconds. It was a magnificent launch, there is absolutely nothing that compares to seeing and feeling a shuttle launch at KSC! Around 42 seconds after launch, Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-135, disappeared into the clouds – and into the history books. When Atlantis lands in 12 days that will be the end of the shuttle program, the end of a truly American engineering wonder, the end of an era. To watch a video of the launch visit our website www.starznbarz.com
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- The crew of Atlantis- Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus, Mission Specialist Rex Walheim
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- The mission flag flies near the VAB (vehicle assembly building) for the last time.
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- Final launch of an American Space Shuttle.
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- STS-135 Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the pad.
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- Atlantis disappears into the clouds – and into history.
This article appears in Jul 7-13, 2011.
