Tag: STS-135
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Shuttle firing room veterans preparing to help launch Artemis 1
The final mission in the Space Shuttle Program, STS-135, was launched ten years ago on July 8, 2011, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several members of the immediate and extended launch team that gave Shuttle Atlantis and her four-person crew a final space send-off gathered again on the tenth anniversary of the STS-135…
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Ten years on, Northrop Grumman reflects on changes to Solid Rocket Motors from Shuttle to SLS era
Ten years ago, on 8 July 2011, two, four-segment Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) came to life on LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center, propelling the orbiter Atlantis and her four person crew upwards toward space on the 135th and final Space Shuttle mission. It marked the 269th and 270th flight firings of an SRB for…
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Last shuttle commander ‘back in the fight’ with Boeing
When Chris Ferguson climbed into the commander’s seat of the shuttle Atlantis five years ago Friday for the spaceship’s final flight, he didn’t know what turn his career would take when he returned to Earth. Like many space shuttle workers, Ferguson had to decide what to do next. Atlantis’ final flight, which lifted off July…
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STS-135 video: ‘Poetry in motion’
Watch the shuttle Atlantis’ backflip, which occurred five years ago today, before docking to the International Space Station. The rendezvous pitch maneuver — the 360-degree flip — enabled the space station’s crew to photograph Atlantis’ belly with handheld digital cameras equipped with 400- and 800-millimeter lenses as part of post-launch inspections of the heat shield.…
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On this date in history: The final space shuttle launch
FIVE YEARS ago today — July 8, 2011 — Atlantis launched on the final space shuttle mission after 31 years as the centerpiece of America’s human spaceflight endeavors. “LIFTOFF! The final liftoff of Atlantis! On the shoulders of the space shuttle, America will continue the dream.” – NASA countdown commentator George Diller “Houston now controlling…
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One year on – Review notes superb performance of STS-135’s SRBs
One year to the day since Atlantis launched on her final mission, the exceptional performance by the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) – which aided STS-135’s ride uphill during first stage flight – was noted in the seemingly independent flight performance review of STS-135 conducted by contractor agency United Space Alliance (USA), not NASA. The stunning lack…
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Atlantis begins vacation inside the VAB as she prepares for exhibition
Atlantis departed her Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF-2) on Friday, ahead of arriving inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Looking rather sorry for herself – with all her propulsive hardware elements removed – Atlantis can at least look forward to staying on the Space Coast, as her impressive retirement home began ground-breaking this week. Heartbreak And Honor:…
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SSME family prepare for SLS core stage role following Shuttle success
NASA’s 15 Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are being transported to the Stennis Space Center (SSC), as they transition towards their future role with the Space Launch System (SLS). The highly reliable RS-25Ds – nine of which flew with the last three Space Shuttle missions – will eventually be succeeded by the expendable RS-25E, early…
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ISS sails into challenging 2012 on back of successful achievements in 2011
The International Space Station (ISS) has now entered what will be a challenging new year, which will see access to the station for both crews and cargo tested, in wake of last year’s retirement of the Space Shuttle, the start of new commercial resupply flights, and recent failures of Russian launch vehicles. ISS cargo deliveries:…
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Atlantis put to sleep after 26 years loyal service – OPF turnovers
Space Shuttle orbiter Atlantis was powered down for the final time on Thursday, following a 26 year, 33 mission career. With her retirement, the world-famous space ship will at least remain at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), a spaceport which is continuing to transition its shuttle facilities – as seen with the upping of the…