As preparations continue for the launch of space shuttle Discovery on STS-133, here’s a look back at the history of the oldest orbiter still in service. When this flight is over, 180 people will have flown on Discovery and the orbiter will have traveled over 240 million kilometers (150 million miles).
5 Replies to “Discovery: A Look Back Before Her Last Flight”
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Thanks Discovery! You’ve changed our world!
I’m sorry to see this program end….I remember watching the first shuttle mission with great anticipation and excitement. And of course I remember the tragedies. It’s been an amazing run.
I was at Edwards AFB when Discovery landed after the Challenger accident. Long live the Shuttle program, it was an awesome ride for over 25 years!
Yep. I’ve seen pretty close to every shuttle launch (on TV and a few live … one from the highway and some from the Firing Room as a defense contractor ). From the Enterprise tests and on, it has been, indeed, a great ride. Too bad we have kind of lost our way. The total NASA budget is a point or two of the national budget and never was above 3 or 4 percent for a few years of Apollo.
Apart from the initial flight, the Hubble launch and subsequent repair flights the programme has been a huge disappointment and vast waste of money. A machine that was a compromise of function and over-complicated as a consequence. History will not recall this project in a positive light nor with affection. I realise this will annoy many here but, goodbye and good ridance.