I am always amazed by the way people "ho-hum" space flight. I'm actually going to see the shuttle land on the 20th. When people ask me why I get excited about the shuttle I always explain it this way:
Seven people (4 this week) are going to attach themselves to 5 hydrogen bombs (2 SRB's and the Shuttle's main engines), intentionally ignite them and use the force of the explosions to propel themselves into orbit somewhere between 200 and 400 miles above the face of the Earth traveling at approximately 17,254 miles per hour. While doing that they are going to catch up with another vehicle traveling the same speed and altitude and then attach the two vehicles to each other. After about 12 days they will then re-ignite three of those hydrogen bombs to cause it to plummet back to the surface with absolutely no hope of a second chance or "do-over" if they make so much as a tiny mistake.
Sounds easy, right?
I can’t believe what they do. I am in total awe. It’s brains and beauty rolled into one. I am lucky to have grown up with space travel. It’s pretty amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THNPmhBl-8I
And on Friday of this week, those people are going to do it one more time...for the LAST time.
I think I am going to cry when the last one goes up.