Atlantis STS-135 - The Last Adventure!

The Last Space Shuttle:

Atlantis STS- 135

Launch pad 39A

Our view of the famous VAB!

(Vehicle Assembly Building)

-Launch Pad 39A is to the far right-

  

VAB is the largest single story building in the world- so large that it

creates its own weather system inside!

(including cloud coverage on a humid day)

And. . . there was so much fog and humidity -

we didn't know if we'd be able to see a thing!

From our location on the beach- we waited and watched.

We passed the time by playing.

and we watched. . .

and our 100 year old dog watched. . . 

We talked and hung out. . .

 We spent time with daddy

(he was very excited too!)

We told stories about Space Shuttles past

(both the hubs and I grew up in Orlando and were privileged

enough to have seen several launches over the years)

and then it was time. . .

The final Space Shuttle -

Atlantis was launched. . .

The cloud coverage made it tough-

very difficult to get good pics with my point and shoot!   

It was loud. . .

It was powerful. . .

It was awe inspiring. . .

 There was a sonic BOOM when she broke through the atmosphere!

If you look closely (very closely) you can see the trail

of smoke behind the shuttle!

We are proud and honored to have witnessed such an historical moment. . .

We celebrated!

Photo close-up of the launch:

  close up provided by: Space.com

I am exhausted from our adventure.

We left out Thursday evening on a 4 hour drive

through torrential rain (the kind you cannot see through)

We pitched a tent at almost 11 pm at night.

We didn't get much sleep as we waited for a launch that might not happen.

But, it did happen.

And, it was the last of its kind.

And, we were there.

I have such mixed emotions about this adventure.

I wouldn't have wanted to miss it and I'm so grateful we were there.

But, the fact that so many people don't seem to understand

that this was the end of one of the most important endeavors

the United States has ever undertaken is troublesome to say the least.

The end with no replacement program in place and

only vague ideas on how to move forward

with the space program in general- it ended.

A program that has been responsible for technological

 and scientific advances

that have benefited the entire planet- has come to an end!

I wonder if everyone of the million or so people who came out to see

the last shuttle- to bear witness to the end of an era-

If everyone who cared would have written or called their congressmen

and representatives to let them know how they felt. . .

would we still have a shuttle program?

What can we do today to help lay out plans for our future

and that of our children?