STS-2 BBC TV Launch Coverage

[ceredigio]

Any clips of the subsequent BBC news reports of the launch?

[lunarmodule5]

Hi ceredigio - I have loads of the subsequent reports. I didnt think there was much call for it - people tend to want the Apollo stuff - I will have to see what I can do.

[ceredigio]

@lunarmodule5 I'm just interested to see how the TV news here in the UK reported on launches subsequently. I'm sure more viewers generally tended to watch the (primetime) news than the live coverage.

[thenekom]

I've watched the shuttle program all of my life, but I was a little too young to ever hear that call life: Negative seats. Oh how I'll miss the shuttle.

[SenyorPony]

so whats gonna happen after the space shuttle ends like how will they get to space?

[toddi1971]

@SenyorPony They will rent space in a russian sojus.

[posada432]

I am somewhat happy to see it go. SpaceX's new rockets are very exciting and they are working much faster than the new super-slow NASA

[lukas2643]

the most beautiful veecoall ever i will miss it :(

[maverickhowell]

I remember watching this event in the UK (probably this very footage) when I was just 7 years old.

As we now come to the end of the shuttle launches I can't help but get a bit choked at the thought that they soon won't be flying anymore.

[kargaroc386]

i wonder if re-adding the paint on lightweight tanks would of prevented the Columbia disaster...

[irish89055]

@kargaroc386  I don't think so.. it's some type of urethane foam.. sometimes coming loose.. again the dumb complacency of NASA let another schuttle be destroyed... didn't have to happen either time...

[NazarovVv]

The fuel tank looks so much better white! It a sad thing the shuttle will go, I'll miss it even thought I am not a very big fan of the program as a whole.

[lunarmodule5]

@NazarovVv Yep....And back then I think a lot of us took quite a long time to get used to the brown tank.....now, of course, its the norm !

[NazarovVv]

@lunarmodule5 Isn't the brown tank unpainted, or is it just a lighter paint? I think i've read ir somewhere that the weight was the issue with the color.

[lunarmodule5]

@NazarovVv Yeah it was a weight issue. Leaving it unpainted saved approx 600lb (270 KG). The tank isn't "painted" in a brown paint. The insulating foam thats sprayed onto the skin of the tank is brown in colour. Hope that clears that up!

[smith2781]

@lunarmodule5 I prefer the brown tank. With the white tank it looks like it should have blue flashing lights on top of it with police written down the side.

[spacegeek5]

@NazarovVv IT does look better white and losing 600 pounds with orange wont even effect it

[RingSight91]

@spacegeek5 Every pound costs $10,000 in Launch Cost. Being 600 lbs lighter isn't anything to sneeze at, and any true spacegeek should know that.

[rumbleforce2]

It's so sad that the program is ending. 5 fights until retirement . We will miss the shuttle very much.

[morgan7cc]

Many see the end of the shuttle program as an end of American space exploration but I think we should see it as the beginning of the Constellation program and a chance to once again reach the moon.

[Jaxshun]

Unfortunately funding for NASA has been decreased. I know people don't want to hear that, but it's the truth.

[ChrisJK94]

Will be a shame to see it go.

[lunarmodule5]

I guess it is sad - I can just about remember the Apollo Soyuz flight in 1975, but was to young to remember the moon landings - but I have watched every shuttle flight since 1981. I guess in lamenting the end of the programme I am just hoping the USA goes forward with Constellation as planned. Time will tell!

[SoaringEagle2005]

@lunarmodule5 I'm hoping Constellation goes on as well..but won't if Obama gets his way. He's hosting a space summit in April.

[lunarmodule5]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[osallent]

Thank you for downloading this priceless video. You have made my week!!!

[lunarmodule5]

You're welcome. Thanx for the comment!

[Pete4000uk]

Thats a good bit of history there, thanks for uploading!