Last year (2011) the NASA Space Shuttle program was retired and the last shuttle launched. To commemorate this videographer McLean Fahnestock put together all the video feeds of all the launches into one award winning video. If you have an Apple TV or other device to watch this on a full size HDTV I recommend it.
Grand Finale 2010-11 from McLean Fahnestock on Vimeo.
The First and Last Space Shuttle Launches
The first Space Shuttle, or as NASA called them STS (Space Transportation System), was Space Shuttle Colombia was launched on April 12th 1981 and was the world’s first re-useable space vehicle. Columbia was named for The Columbia, a 3-masted sailing ship built in the 1770’s. Captained by Captain Robert Gray, it was the first American ship to circumnavigate (sail completely around) the Earth. Here’s what the first launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia looked like.
The last space shuttle launched on July 8th 2011. STS-135 was flown by the Atlantis.
How does the Space Shuttle Launch?
Basically, it’s just like this match rocket, with a lot more power, here’s an awesome video on NASA with a robot explaining the process.
Space Shuttle Documentary
Here is a cool 14 minute documentary on the Space Shuttle Narrated by William Shatner.
I wonder what is next for space travel…
-Mike
Add comment