Rolling out to pad 39a at KSC by the light of the moon.

This final flight of space shuttle Discovery will ferry a humanoid robot to the ISS.

NASA just shared this cool crawler perspective on the protected windows.

And the Guardian just ran a retrospective on the program, with an external perspective.

12 responses to “The Pull of Discovery”

  1. Beautiful Steve, where will they retire her? Udvar-Hazy already has one.

    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/shantiamagasu/2883844679]

  2. Such a tempting question….. They are free to a curator with a good home…

    There’s a $3B Shuttle launch pad at Vandenberg that has never been used (details in that Guardian article). I have seen it up close, and it would be a cool display location, but not so easy for tourists. But it would be in clear view for those riding the coastal Amtrack express

    Riding that train...

  3. The Guardian article was a good one. Thanks for pointing it out, such a beautiful bird.

  4. I wish they had left one shuttle at the ISS

  5. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/belleville] I agree, I think one of the 3 left should stay in space…

    Seen in my contacts’ photos. ( ?² )

  6. Again Steve, thanks for sharing a great photo.

  7. Oh, you didn’t take this shot?

  8. Correct. Linked to original in the caption. NASA photos are free for re-posting.

    It was sent to me before NASA posted it by a friend out there who is recording 3D video of the launches.

    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/57954070@N00] cool idea. In the Soyuz/SpaceX future, it could be a big lifeboat bus in case of mishap up there. Seven nice seats up front and some straps in the cargo bay for the wild ride home… =)

  9. The wait continues…

    105480816MS012_disco

    New photo by Matt Stroshane while out on a levy at the Cape.

  10. Fuel tank crack: CBS News reports that after the cracked foam was removed on Tuesday night, cracks were found in an underlying structure called a stringer. If the fuel leak and cracks can be fixed, Discovery’s final mission, STS-133, could launch as soon as 30 November. (see images inside).

  11. The Guardian article pretty effectively sums up my opinions on the program. Revolutionary for its time, but long overdue for retirement and replacement. That being said, a large part of me is glad the program lasted long enough for me to see a launch in person. I was on the causeway last Wednesday, and it was quite an amazing show.

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