Final Shuttle Tank Gets New Orleans Send-Off

[abbasean]

big monumental 'thing' with space

[moviesunrated]

So if this is gonna be last manned space mission (For the US) What about flying to Mars? The robot on Mars got too cold and the solar panels broke, didn't it? So we need to retrieve it, or just send another one out (It lands itself) And what about repairing Satellites? Or is it just missions for exploration that they're stopping? Not maintenance as well.

[iClunk]

@moviesunrated Shuttle missions weren't exploration mission - they carried crew, equipment, sections etc to and from the ISS.

The US will being using the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to travel to the ISS

[moviesunrated]

@iClunk I didn't realise it was only Shuttle Missions they were stopping, but this makes me wonder how they're gonna repair satellites, aren't most of them repaired/taken up via the Space Shuttle?

[iClunk]

@moviesunrated They launch satellites with rockets too. Unsure if they do repair satellites though.

[stefanmckinley]

@moviesunrated no, they are just retiring the space shuttle. That doesn't mean we will stop going into space! In the near future we will be returning to space in safer and more efficient launch vehicles.

[Evenor48]

Gobernator Republican, is not good combination with the federal gob.

[Andrehiltonsr]

É espetacular o tanque externo!

[knytrydr73]

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. If this doesn't prove that America supports it's space program, I don't what will!

[Bronco46tube]

It's not just obama, it's all the politicians that would rather throw money at worthless social programs then anything that results in God forbid scientific research.

[Demokrator86]

I'm so sorry for this people! Damn you Obama!

[perrin6]

@Demokrator86 This was decided long before Obama got into office.

[BuschTukkerMan]

Awsome video guys :)

[AcrossTheRiverStix]

would the barge have to travel through the oily mess in the Gulf?

[StormyStitch88]

A bittersweet moment for the actual people behind NASA. The brain drain & jobs lost in this sector will be detrimental to any human spaceflight program NASA attempts in the future. There were billions spent on advertising the Stimulus bills through highway signs that will be in garbage dumps in 3 years. Then consider that it would only cost $2.4 Billion per year to keep the shuttles flying until commercial rockets could replace them.

[StormyStitch88]

@StormyStitch88 Spaceflightnow has the article 'Shuttle leader says extending program still feasible' posted.

[LordSlag]

It's kinda sad. No more shuttle flights....but now, let us look to the future: FALCON!

[hackneysaregreat]

Amazing piece of engineering and proof of true craftmanship.

[09490m]

how heavy is it?



[wichesto]

@09490m not really heavy, i have lifted one with my bare hands

[bbaacckksstteeiinn]

@09490m 30t empty