A Era In Space Travel Comes To An End, With The Lift Off Of Atlantis: UPDATE

When the NASA space shuttle Atlantis lifts off, either today or on the make-up day of July 16, 2011, it will mark the END of an era in space flight.

For 30 years, the NASA space shuttle program blazed a path for increased scientific interest in out space. Even with the tragic endings to both the Challenger and Columbia space shuttles, it did not discourage interest of space related exploration.

Where should NASA go from here?

NASA should look at with interest in working with private space-related development companies and also branch out into other science tech areas. Work also with the colleges and universities as well to train students in the areas of the sciences, including teach sciences.

What will be also the fate of the town of Titusville, FL, USA?

It will be a struggle for that American town which depended on the business coming from NASA itself. A town that must now face a new future, a number of residents having move out of Titusville. NASA was its life. Titusville will have to become even much more creative in order to draw in the tourists and future residents.

When Atlantis launches, one era will end, another one will begin.

With MANY THANKS To Both telegraphtv And YouTube. Watch Video Here:

“STS-135, a routine resupply mission to the International Space Station, will mark the end of a journey that has cost $196 million, covered 870 million kilometres and claimed the lives of 14 astronauts.”

The Space Shuttle, STS-135, Atlantis has just taken off. God Bless And Godspeed To The Crew of the Atlantis.

UPDATE:

“Atlantis has blasted off on NASA’s last space shuttle launch. The historic liftoff occurred Friday morning, 30 years and three months after the very first shuttle flight. Four astronauts are riding Atlantis to orbit. The shuttle is bound for the International Space Station, making one final supply run. Hundreds of thousands of spectators jammed Cape Canaveral and surrounding towns for the farewell. Kennedy Space Center itself was packed with shuttle workers, astronauts and 45,000 invited guests, the maximum allowed. The flight will last 12 days. Weather permitting, Atlantis will return to workers, astronauts and 45,000 invited guests, the maximum allowed. The flight will last 12 days. Weather permitting, Atlantis will return to Kennedy, where it will end up on permanent display.”

With MANY THANKS To RussiaToday. Watch Video Here:

“July 6 – When NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle program officially ends on July 8th with the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, more than 7,000 people will lose their jobs at the Kennedy Space Center — devastating Florida’s already sluggish economy. Jon Decker reports.”

With MANY THANKS To Both ReutersVideo And YouTube. Watch Video Here:

“At Twitter town hall, President Obama says it’s time to find “the next frontier.”

With MANY THANKS To Both CBSNewsOnline And YouTube. Watch Video Here: