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Space Shuttle Retirement

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By Carol the Writer

The 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.


Space Shuttle photos

There are only six Space Shuttle launches left.
There are only six Space Shuttle launches left.

How many space shuttle launches are left?

There are now only five 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.


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


NASA astronaut on shuttle arm working on the Hubble telescope.
NASA astronaut on shuttle arm working on the Hubble telescope.
The Hubble Space Telescope shows the center of the Crab Nebula in unprecedented detail.
The Hubble Space Telescope shows the center of the Crab Nebula in unprecedented detail.
A view of Galaxy NGC 3079.
A view of Galaxy NGC 3079.

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.

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NASA Wind Tunnels help make commercial aircraft safer.
NASA Wind Tunnels help make commercial aircraft safer.
NASA space suit research help protect deep sea divers.
NASA space suit research help protect deep sea divers.

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.


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A Constellation Program Launch Concept
A Constellation Program Launch Concept
A model of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle.
A model of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle.
Artist concept of the Ares V earth departure stage in orbit, with the Orion capsule docked to the Altair lunar lander.
Artist concept of the Ares V earth departure stage in orbit, with the Orion capsule docked to the Altair lunar lander.

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.

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Sony's PlayStation Portable -PSP Go
Sony's PlayStation Portable -PSP Go

Do you like this article? Leave comments here.

RSS for comments on this Hub

Peter  says:
4 weeks ago

Nice hub carol the writer :) i like sweetpea said i wish i could get a astronout costume for my kid and again Nice hub :)

Jakob Alexander  says:
4 weeks ago

awesome hub when eve i need info on space exploration i will always look for your hubs =D

Jakob Alexander  says:
4 weeks ago

Awesome article i love space exploration but im still wondering why they are getting rid of the space shuttles they are the best and like Nell Rose said why get rid of what u have if what u have is the best?

Carol the Writer profile image

Carol the Writer  says:
6 weeks ago

@Nell Rose, I agree. We should have built a next generation shuttle. People didn't throw away the idea of cars after the model T; they kept improving and developing them.

Nell Rose profile image

Nell Rose  says:
6 weeks ago

I thought I would read your first Hub, as I seem to have been a bit slack with my space stuff recently! and I agree that it is sad that they are stopping it. I always think that, why change something when you have the best? I think they will regret it. cheers Nell

Carol the Writer profile image

Carol the Writer  says:
2 months ago

Yes, habee, it is sad. Fishtiger, the shuttles are getting old and NASA decided to scrap the whole program and try something new rather than work to build new next generation space shuttles.

fishtiger58 profile image

fishtiger58  says:
3 months 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??

habee profile image

habee  says:
3 months ago

Great hub, although it's a little sad. Seems like the end of an era.

Charles II  says:
4 months ago

Awesome article thank you so much for posting it. I look forward to reading more from you when you post them!

Carol the Writer profile image

Carol the Writer  says:
5 months ago

Thank you JannyMac and Steven. I hope to be able to see one more launch before they end.

JannyMac  says:
5 months ago

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.

Steven  says:
5 months ago

That's really interesting stuff. Nice job, Carolyn.

Carol the Writer profile image

Carol the Writer  says:
5 months ago

Thanks Amy, Sweetpea, and Yvonne Ray! It's great to have the support of friends and family.

Amy  says:
5 months ago

It's good to get the big picture from an insider! Thanks for the info. Strong! We especially like the Lego links.

Sweetpea  says:
5 months ago

Great info! I love the video. I wish there was a link to get an astronaut Halloween costume for me kid.

Yvonne Ray  says:
5 months ago

Carolyn, this is great. I am impressed. The Braes Bayou Rotary is proud to have you as a member.

ralwus profile image

ralwus  says:
5 months ago

OK, now for another hub dear.

Carol the Writer profile image

Carol the Writer  says:
5 months ago

Wow! Dame Scribe and ralwus, thank you so much for your nice comments.

Dame Scribe profile image

Dame Scribe  says:
5 months ago

I love watching our Space programs and glad they are keeping them for display to the public. Great info. :)

ralwus profile image

ralwus  says:
5 months ago

Interesting first hub. Love it.

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Space Shuttle Retirement in the News

  • Invest For Space Shuttle's Swan SongForbes3 hours ago

    When the space shuttle makes its last flight in September, this company will help take care of unfinished business.

  • Shuttle Heads To Space Station As Weather ClearsNPR31 hours ago

    Space shuttle Endeavour is now orbiting Earth after blasting off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center in Monday's early morning darkness. Weather problems had delayed what might be the last pre-dawn launch for the shuttle program, which is heading toward retirement.

  • Goodnight, moon: What I learned from a space shuttleBetaNews24 hours ago

    Like many nighthawks across the continent, I found myself glued to more than one screen...all right, three. Plus my BlackBerry...as I watched this morning's launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

  • US shuttle Endeavour blasts off for space stationMalaysian Mirror31 hours ago

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida -The US space shuttle Endeavour blasted off Monday carrying the last major component of the International Space Station -- a seven-windowed dome for breathtaking panoramic views.

  • Space shuttle Endeavour blasts offDaily Telegraph29 hours ago

    Space shuttle finally lifts off with British-born astronaut on board.

  • Shuttle launches Tranquility module to the space stationSpaceflight Now34 hours ago

    The shuttle Endeavour, carrying six astronauts, a 15-ton life support module and a bay window observation deck for the International Space Station, thundered into orbit early Monday, putting on a spectacular pre-dawn show in the program's final planned night launch.

  • Shuttle Set For Sunday Launch Amid Space Plan ShiftBernama3 days ago

    The STS-130 Endeavour crew (L-R), Nicholas Patrick, Commander George Zamka, Robert Behnken, Kathryn Hire, Pilot Terry Virts and Stephen Robinson are pictured in this NASA handout photo taken August 4, 2009. NASA's space shuttle Endeavour will blast off on February 7, 2010 on one of the last remaining shuttle missions.

  • Shuttle set for Sunday launch amid space plan shiftThe Star3 days ago

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA's space shuttle Endeavour prepared to blast off on Sunday on one of the last remaining shuttle missions, and the U.S. agency's chief said the days of big American solo initiatives in space were over.

Should NASA develop a different shuttle after space shuttle retirement?

  • Yes. NASA needs to develop an updated space shuttle.
  • No. NASA can just lose the shuttle's capabilities.
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