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NASA Sets Dates For Space Shuttle Finale

Posted by timothy on from the oh-but-they-always-stand-us-up dept.

coondoggie writes "After some debate, NASA today said it has set the final two launch dates for its venerable space shuttles: Nov. 1 for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission, and Feb. 26, 2011, for the liftoff of shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission. NASA said the dates needed to be adjusted because critical payload hardware for STS-133 will not be ready in time to support the planned Sept. 16 launch."

6 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Lost by assertation · · Score: 4, Funny

    I sure hope NASA does a better job with their finale, then the producers of Lost did with theirs.

  2. Crossing my fingers for AMS by JamesP · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This certainly looks like it's a big experiment

    Let's hope the last minute changes only make it better.

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  3. Re:Also there is 1 more at the end of that? the ba by Elros · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The backup shuttle is for emergencies only. It has to be ready to go, but (if all goes well) shouldn't actually launch.

  4. Sigh by Dyinobal · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm sad to see this in my time. I always hoped we would be pushing farther out into space, not ending our involvement in it in my life time. I really hope this isn't the end of the USA as a space faring country.

  5. Hurray! by thue · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The space shuttle was an incredibly overpriced way of launching cargo and people into low orbit.

    Perhaps now the money that was overpaid for transport will be better spent on actual science.

    And if NASA buys launches from private firms, then NASA can help kick-start an efficient private launch industry.

  6. Re:After That... by Mercano · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Our Russian mission commander is Pikov Andropov."

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