Last Shuttle Tank Delivers, ET-138

[CaptnKirk]

Well, today marks the end of an Era, almost 4 decades - 37 years of building External Tanks for the Space Shuttle ends.
The delivery of ET-138 was performed today, and in typical New Orleans fashion, it concluded with a Jazz Funeral.

http://www.wwl.com/Michoud-workers-say--good-bye--to-final-shuttle-ta/7645167

Rarely does NASA allow cameras to be brought on the facility - and today was one of those rare occasions.
Witness the final delivery of the last contract tank for the Space Shuttle Program: ET-138

*NOTE: ET-122 will deliver later, but it is a repair of the tank that the roof fell in on during Katrina five years ago.
ET-122 is beiing repaired as a back-up tank for a rescue mission or a reserve flight if one is needed far a future space emergency.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_001.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_007.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_011.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_014.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_018.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_021.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_022.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_023.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_024.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/captnkirk/ET138_026.jpg

The future is the Orion, if there is a future for Manned Space Flight missions.

Sad, isn't it?

 

[Schadenfroh]

All good things come to an end.

I remember seeing the barge when I visited Kennedy that brought this tank into the assembly building. Despite growing up not far from New Orleans, I did not know they were manufactured there until a few years ago. I will always cherish the space program. Stennis Space Center was not far from where I grew up, several relatives work there, I even interned with AMRDEC at Redstone Arsenal (where Marshall Space Center is located). I was sad to see Constellation cancelled and I knew that the end of the Space Shuttle was near. I was able to watch my first (and last) space shuttle launch from Titusville earlier this summer, such a wonderful sight and made me so proud of this country.

Now, excuse me while I wipe a tear from my eye....

 

[Supersonic64]

Sad, sad day.

 

[ModestGamer]

They either need to productively figure out how to really travel through space or shit can this costly ass program. One way or the other I am tired of the corporate welfare this program provides.

 

[Schadenfroh]

They either need to productively figure out how to really travel through space or shit can this costly ass program. One way or the other I am tired of the corporate welfare this program provides.

NASA Budget: 18 Billion
AIG Bailouts: 183 billion

 

[ModestGamer]

NASA Budget: 18 Billion
AIG Bailouts: 183 billion

fuck AIG

 

[Supersonic64]

NASA's bugdget is SHIT. They deserve A LOT more.

 

[UberNeuman]

NASA's bugdget is SHIT. They deserve A LOT more.

Of course they do, but unless we support the base that it's built on, then it's meaningless....

 

[SonicIce]

thats awesome dude, you are fortunate. i'd love to see the thing irl

 

[GoPackGo]

Just think...we will be back to where we were in the 1950's dreaming of space while the Russians keep going.

/FAIL

Oh and for all you people who say we can't afford the space program...

Just think if in 1975 they would have strived to go to Mars. Think of the technology breakthroughs...answering energy questions....etc...

We couldn't afford NOT to do it 35 years ago...now look where we are....

 

[Freshgeardude]

Very sad indeed.


Just for those that dont know. there are 2 scheduled shuttle launches left in the program.

November 1st for STS 133
and
February 26th of next year for the final STS 134

 

[dmcowen674]

Just think...we will be back to where we were in the 1950's dreaming of space while the Russians keep going.

/FAIL

Hey hey hey now don't fret, Mission Accomplished on becoming Third World Country

 

[boomerang]

We're boldly going where no man has gone before. Now we're going to make Muslims feel better about themselves.

Women and Children Die First

Good luck with that.

 

[MotF Bane]

They either need to productively figure out how to really travel through space or shit can this costly ass program. One way or the other I am tired of the corporate welfare this program provides.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/ten-nasa-inventions1.htm
Stop using anything from that list; and that's just for starters.

Also, as Schadenfroh pointed out, there are far larger expenditures to worry about that have far less return value.

 

[CaptnKirk]

The ones who bitch the most about the Space Program being cancelled are, in fact, the same ones who refused to fund it.
These bullshit polititians need to face this reality.
Why were there billions for tax breaks for the connected banking corporations, but less than one-one hundreth of that ammount
used for tax breaks could not be used to fund the space programs continuance?

When they brag about how much they believe in the NASA programs and, then wrap themselves in patriotism,
but vote NO on budget proposals for NASA - and vote Tax Breaks for Billionaires THOSE in Congress are the problem.