Monday 11 July 2011

The Last of the Astronauts

Lots of children used to want to grow up and become traindrivers, or air hostesses and often astronauts. Sadly these days they all want to grow up to be famous, quite what they  will be famous for they don't really care as long as they are famous. Many of them are achieving this aim, too, often for the wrong reasons.

Whatever happened to wanting to be an astronaut? Luckily these people made it. Unfortunately they'll only get to go up in space this last time. The space shuttle is finally coming to a close after 30 years. The end of an era as they are calling it at NASA. There is no replacement for the shuttle as funds to NASA have been lowered too much for any to go into new developments for one, although they are helping out private concerns with similar contracts.

"The future of human spaceflight is bright" says Charles Broden, Administrator of the shuttle. The astronauts are flying out there now and lets hope they inspire  a new generation of children to want to become one again now, if they want to be famous what's better than being a famous astronaut?


Ready for Launch

The STS-135 crew ride in the Astrovan to Launch Pad 39A to board space shuttle Atlantis on the morning of Friday, July 8. The launch of Atlantis on the STS-135 mission is the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Clockwise from the left are: Sandra Magnus, Rex Walheim, commander Chris Ferguson and pilot Doug Hurley. In the back of the van in white is a member of the closeout crew, whose members assist the astronauts with final preparations for launch.

Image Credit: NASA/Jerry Ross

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