I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Godspeed Discovery

As the news reports have said, Discovery holds a special place in some of our hearts. I remember watching her loft into the sky after the long, dry spell following Challenger.

Go far, carry our hearts with you.

Always wanted to witness a shuttle launch. Guess I'll have to settle for a space shot of some kind.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

According to NPR, there are two more shuttle trips to space this year, just not with Discovery.

May she fly well and land safely this last time.

Anonymous Cassie

Steve Buchheit said...

Hey Cassie, yep. Actually, there are only 2 more shuttle trips ever. The shuttles will be retired. I forget the retirement schedule, but IIRC, Discovery will be retired when she returns, being the oldest shuttle. Atlantis and Endeavor will fly one more mission each. I believe Atlantis will be the last to fly. Endeavor will be kept in service as the backup just in case something happens (or it's the other way around). When that last flight lands the last two shuttles will be retired together.

However, looking at the plans going forward, the replacements (either government or private industry) don't have nearly the lifting power of the shuttle system. So their launches won't be as dramatic. Impressive in their own way, but just not the same.