DocM Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Planetary Society Statement On the End of the Space Shuttle ProgramSource: Planetary SocietyPosted Thursday, July 21, 2011 Today, as the Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down and returned its crew to Earth, the 30-year-long space shuttle program came to its end. Bill Nye, Executive Director of the Planetary Society, had this to say: "Mission accomplished! It's been thirty great years for the Space Shuttle program. With this venerable space vehicle retired, it's on to the next adventure. "The Space Shuttle has taken more than 10,400 tons into orbit, a fantastic legacy, as most of that equipment is still up there helping astronauts do their jobs. But now it's time to move up and on -- outward. We can make new discoveries peering beyond new horizons." The Planetary Society salutes the men and women - those in space and those on the ground - who made the Shuttle fly. Theirs is a legacy that will be remembered by people through the centuries to come, especially by those who follow the trail they have blazed into space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted July 21, 2011 Member Share Posted July 21, 2011 It's a sad day. I hate to see them end. I hope we will replace this program with something better in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoadorable Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 sad but happy at the same time. we all know that the next chapters are now to be written, and the human race will move on to greater things. but the space shuttles will always be remembered. thank you, oh wonderful flying machines, millions of years of human evolution and struggle are very proud of all you've achieved! you brought us a lot of hope but we need to move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisp Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Onwards and upwards I say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japlabot Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I don't understand the Backwards flag? Isn't that a sign of disrespect like an upside-down flag? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerFan Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I don't understand the Backwards flag? Isn't that a sign of disrespect like an upside-down flag? Good question. I googled it: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_American_flag_backwards_on_planes_and_shuttle Although at first glance it appears wrong, the flag on the shuttle Orbiter is not truly backward. The regulation for displaying a U.S. flag on a national vehicle states that the star field must be positioned at the front of the vessel (the nose cone end of the shuttle), as if the flag were "flying" along the side of the ship. This causes the flag to look as though it were backward on one side of the Shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Also; an upside down US flag is not a sign of disrespect but an official distress signal. Seamanship 101. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts