Space Shuttle Retirement
84The time for NASA space shuttle retirement is at hand. After almost 30 years, NASA will retire the space shuttles and send the remaining spacecraft to museums. The final shuttle flight is now scheduled for late 2010. It is now time for space shuttle retirement.
How many space shuttle launches are left?
There are only six space shuttle missions left. Presently NASA has a cut-off date of 2010 to end the space shuttle program. It has not been decided whether NASA will go ahead and fly all six of these remaining missions if some of these flights slip into 2011.
Most experts agree that NASA will fly all of the planned shuttle missions. The crew will be trained, the cargo built, and every detail will be planned and ready. In the end, it is Congress that will determine if NASA has the budget to fly the remaining shuttle missions.
Buy Astronaut Items from Amazon
|
Space Shuttle Launch Decorative Night Light
Price: $9.99
List Price: $14.99 |
|
Mercury Aurora photo deluxe framed and matted autographed by Astronaut Scott Carpenter Project Mercury
Price: $199.00
List Price: $245.00 |
|
Buzz Aldrin autographed 16x20 Photo (Astronaut)
Price: $399.00
List Price: $699.00 |
NASA Space Shuttle Retirement and the International Space Station
The space shuttle has been instrumental in delivering the modules and nodes of the International Space Station. Astronauts have used the space shuttle’s robotic arm and a space station robotic arm to assemble and modify the International Space Station.
The space shuttle can deliver 5,000 pounds of new scientific equipment, food, and clothing to the station. Since NASA is down to its last few shuttle flights, it is important that all required equipment and hardware to support continued space station operations be delivered. Some replacement parts are too big to be brought to the space station on any other type of spacecraft, even the spacecraft being planned. Once empty, the space shuttle is the only space vehicle that can bring large amounts of equipment and even garbage back to earth from space. After NASA space shuttle retirement, the International Space Station will have to use other spacecraft to ferry astronauts, smaller equipment, and supplies.
Space Shuttle Undocking from the International Space Station
Space Shuttle Retirement and the Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope has been very closely linked with the space shuttle. The space shuttle carried the Hubble Space Telescope in its payload bay and launched it into orbit in April 1990.
The space shuttle has made five flights to repair and service the telescope. Many of the observing instruments have been replaced with updated versions. The final space shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope occurred in May, 2009. No spacecraft currently exist that can service the Hubble Space Telescope after NASA space shuttle retirement.
Get Space Shuttle Lego Models Here
|
LEGO Space Shuttle Discovery (7470)
Space Shuttle Discovery and the Hubble Telescope.
Price: $247.88
|
|
LEGO Discovery: International Space Station
Price: $89.88
|
|
LEGO Discovery: Mission to Mars
Price: $79.90
|
Benefits of Space Shuttle Technology
The space shuttle has helped NASA bring technology back to earth. The space shuttle is responsible for countless medical innovations including the NASA/DeBakey heart pump, which is based on technology used in space shuttle fuel pumps. A nonsurgical digital imaging breast biopsy system, developed using NASA technology, greatly reduces the pain and radiation exposure, while saving time and money.
People flying commercial aircraft benefit from NASA aircraft control systems as well as from NASA wind tunnel and aerodynamic testing. New composite space material technology produces better brake linings for cars, trucks and heavy industrial equipment.
People all over the world benefit from NASA communications and satellite technology. NASA has developed computing innovations used in database management systems, laser surveying, expert system software, microcomputers, and design graphics. After NASA space shuttle retirement, innovations will have to come from other NASA programs.
Click here to get NASA items from Amazon
|
When We Left Earth - The NASA Missions (4-Disc Set in Limited Edition Tin)
Price: $9.90
List Price: $29.98 |
|
Nasa: The Complete Illustrated History
Price: $18.50
List Price: $29.95 |
|
America In Space: NASA's First Fifty Years
Price: $26.30
List Price: $50.00 |
|
NASA Discover Space Shuttle Mars Memo Board Message Boards CHRISTMAS Gift Idea for College Students Alumni Men CoWorkers CO-WORKERS Women Boys Girls Teenagers for Dorm Office Kitchen or Home TOP QUALITY
Price: $19.99
List Price: $34.99 |
|
Nasa A Retrospective Dvd
Price: $29.90
|
After NASA Space Shuttle Retirement - A New Space Program
After the NASA space shuttle retirement, the new space exploration program will be called the Constellation program. The crew compartment of the program is called an Orion crew exploration vehicle, and is similar in design to an Apollo capsule. Other spacecraft planned during Constellation program are an earth departure stage rocket and the Altair lunar lander.
To launch Constellation systems to the International Space Station or to the moon, NASA plans to use two different types of Ares rockets. However, the Ares rockets have been hindered by numerous engineering problems, and some scientists are now proposing using an alternative rocket system based on existing shuttle external tanks and solid rocket boosters.
The Constellation program uses the latest technologies and proven engineering designs from the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. More advances in air and water purification as well as studies to maintain astronaut health in space will be needed for long-term Constellation missions. The Constellation program will not launch until several years after NASA space shuttle retirement.
Want to Earn Money Writing?
You can earn money and make friends while writing informative articles, humerous features, prose, or poetry and publishing your writing on hubpages. You don't have to know anything about programing or web design - hubpages does all that for you. It's free to sign up, and you can earn a share of the ad revenue from your hubs. To learn more or to sign up, click here.
A Link to My Other NASA Space Shuttle Articles
- Where To Watch a Space Shuttle Launch
This article discusses the pros and cons of the five main places to view a space shuttle launch. It will discuss the best places to see a Space Shuttle launch free places and places that require tickets or fees. - Space Shuttle Launch Schedule
This article has the latest information on NASA's space shuttle launch schedule and summaries and photos of the last 6 space shuttle missions to the International Space Station. - The Last Space Shuttle Mission
NASAs final space shuttle mission will be STS-113. This planned ten day mission will take the space shuttle and a crew of five astronauts to the International Space Station, or ISS. The STS-113 mission...
Other Hubs I Wrote
- PSP Go: Go or No Go?
PSP Go: Go or No Go? This article is an easy to understand, non-geeky, impartial review of Sony's new PSP Go just released Oct 1, 2009. Learn the pros and cons of this all digital gaming system. - Indexed in Google? How to Check
How do you know if your website or hub has been indexed by Google? And why should you care? This article explains the importance of being indexed by Google and then describes the steps to check your site's...
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Do you like this article? Leave comments here.
Great hub, although it's a little sad. Seems like the end of an era.
Awesome article thank you so much for posting it. I look forward to reading more from you when you post them!
Thank you JannyMac and Steven. I hope to be able to see one more launch before they end.
Very Nice story about our space system. I didn't know that it was coming to an end so soon with only 6 more scheduled missions. We will look forward to the newer technology of the "Constellation" program.
That's really interesting stuff. Nice job, Carolyn.
Thanks Amy, Sweetpea, and Yvonne Ray! It's great to have the support of friends and family.
It's good to get the big picture from an insider! Thanks for the info. Strong! We especially like the Lego links.
Great info! I love the video. I wish there was a link to get an astronaut Halloween costume for me kid.
Carolyn, this is great. I am impressed. The Braes Bayou Rotary is proud to have you as a member.
OK, now for another hub dear.
Wow! Dame Scribe and ralwus, thank you so much for your nice comments.
I love watching our Space programs and glad they are keeping them for display to the public. Great info. :)
Interesting first hub. Love it.
Space Shuttle Retirement in the News
- Shuttle Atlantis arrives at space stationReuters4 days ago
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Atlantis arrived at the International Space Station on Wednesday to deliver spare parts needed to keep the outpost operational after the shuttles' retirement next year.
- Astronauts from space shuttle Atlantis take second spacewalk outside International Space StationNew York Daily News2 days ago
A spacewalking astronaut put aside the impending birth of his daughter and blazed through his first-ever venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday.
- Space shuttle Atlantis sets off on 11-day missionBoulder Weekly5 days ago
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The space shuttle Atlantis roared into orbit at 2:28 p.m. EST Monday, arching through light clouds to begin an 11-day mission to the International Space Station and bringing the 28-year-old shuttle program one step closer to retirement.
- Shuttle docks with space stationBBC News5 days ago
Space shuttle Atlantis has successfully docked with the International Space Station, Nasa officials say.
- NASA launches space shuttle AtlantisSpaceDaily6 days ago
Atlantis blasted off Monday carrying vital supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station to extend its life past the 2010 retirement of the aging shuttle fleet.
- Shuttle Atlantis docks with space stationManila Bulletin4 days ago
WASHINGTON, November 18, 2009 (AFP) - The space shuttle Atlantis successfully docked Wednesday with the International Space Station and the hatch separating the crews was opened for the traditional welcoming ceremony, NASA said.
- Shuttle docks with space stationBrisbane Times5 days ago
The space shuttle Atlantis successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), NASA officials said.
- Space Shuttle Atlantis Docks With International Space StationINO News5 days ago
(RTTNews) - NASA's space shuttle Atlantis has successfully docked with the International Space Station, two days after its blast-off, said officials on Wednesday.
Should NASA develop a different shuttle after space shuttle retirement?
See results without votingSpace Shuttle Retirement Information From NASA
- NASA - Space Shuttle
The latest updates, images, and videos on NASA space shuttle missions from NASA.gov.
Email This Page
To easily email this page to a friend, click the small black box at the bottom of this page that says, "Email this page".














fishtiger58 says:
2 weeks ago
Nice hub. I wasn't aware the shuttle program was coming to an end. Is it only because of money or something better coming along??