STS-125 Launch: 5/11/09

The second shuttle launch of 2009 and the 126th overall occurred Monday afternoon, May 11th, 2009, just before two minutes past 2pm. A crew of seven headed off to the Hubble Space Telescope for it's final servicing mission of the Shuttle era. George Diller ticks down the final minute or so at KSC, and Kyle Herring commentates the ascent as Atlantis bolts skyward. A slight problem occurs shortly after launch, but isn't enough to abort, very much like the STS-93 liftoff of July 1999.

Footage from NASA TV, graphical enhancements by yours truly via Pinnacle 12.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Space Shuttle Atlantis
• Kennedy Space Center
• STS-125

[elkinsinbox]

The shuttle has to roll to a different azmuth because it's a Hubble servicing mission.

[dablommer]

No argument here...

[dablommer]

Enjoy it while it's still around...

[kambizShahri]

Giving a "dang" is what makes the difference between success and failure...:=) so i appreciate that "dang".

[elkinsinbox]

I forgot to add an A between to and museum. I don't know who gives a dang about that.

[elkinsinbox]

Hubble is expected to last another five years. The original idea was to bring Hubble back home and donate it to museum. But after Columbia was lost that was pretty much out the window. When Hubble's duties are complete it will quietly burn up in the atmosphere.

[cymrubahaus78]

well done mate! great and fast upload!! thanks!!

[22steffon]

First comment. Oh and the Shuttle is AWESOME!!!

[sledger25]

wow.. fast upload... the shuttle launched like 3 hours ago!