Space Shuttle: The Final Voyage

Space Shuttle Atlantis prepares for its final voyage this week. 

This marks the end of the programme after 30 years.  

Last week I was lucky enough to see the crew from the last voyage of the Discovery do a presentation at Millfield School. That was the highlight of the year so far. I had taken my Daughter (who was 3 at the time) out in to the local field earlier this year to wave at the Discovery as we saw it fly overhead attached to the space station and then when it was preparing to land.

30 years ago I returned from a visit to the Hong Kong Planetarium armed with a giant space shuttle poster.

Listening to the crew and their experiences, as well as watching a highlight film (with voiceover from Bill Shatner), I was taken back 30 years to the excitment of the future of space travel.

The crew appeared very professional, relaxed, highly competent and had a tangible bond and comradeship with each other. Stuck in a small vessel, travelling at MACH25 you need to have The Right Stuff.

A welcome perspective on what can be achieved with enough thought and effort.

Good luck to Atlantis, and try and go out and see it fly overhead.