From nasa.gov: “Sunrise at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida finds space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A after the payload canister carrying the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module (MPLM) was lifted into the payload changeout room on the rotating service structure.” Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflet
As it stands right now, the final ever space space shuttle launch (of orbiter Atlantis) is scheduled to take place this coming Friday, July 8th. Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 11:26 AM Eastern Time.
I am going on a road trip with one of my buddies to Titusville to see STS-135 launch, and I couldn’t be more excited, or nervous – because an estimated one million plus people are supposed to be there, and plus parking and other amenities will probably be catastrophic at best. We’re leaving the night before (we’re not too far out) and we’re camping because hell to the no we aren’t spending upwards of $300 on now non-existent hotel rooms. I have no idea how the whole thing is going to turn out, but I’ve had good luck – knock on wood – with previous shuttle launches. So we’ll see how it goes. Also, there is always a chance of possible delays. That will just give us a chance to geek out at the Space Walk of Fame Museum, though, which is never a bad thing. Seeing Gus Grissom’s Gemini 3 post-flight jumpsuit always brings a thrill…if you, dear reader, get a chance to visit Titusville, Florida, you MUST visit this spectacular place.
For STS-135’s launch countdown milestones and approximate times, check out this NASA link.
Also, if you’re driving out like we are, here are some handy dandy traffic tips.
In addition, here’s a piece of vintage space shuttle nostalgia…because STS-1 started it all over thirty years ago in April, 1981:
1981 NASA photo. From left, suit technician, pilot Bob Crippen, and mission commander John Young.
Emily Carney is a writer, space enthusiast, and creator of the This Space Available space blog, published since 2010. In January 2019, Emily’s This Space Available blog was incorporated into the National Space Society’s blog. The content of Emily’s blog can be accessed via the This Space Available blog category.
Note: The views expressed in This Space Available are those of the author and should not be considered as representing the positions or views of the National Space Society.
