End of an Era: Endeavour
Hello Friends.
Last week I showed you HERE some fantastic photos, courtesy of Steven Hunt, of Space Shuttle Discovery's final lift-off before being retired. Today, I have another treat for you. My wonderful cousin, Steven, has allowed me to use his photos of Space Shuttle Endeavour being readied for its final mission.
Endeavour is the youngest of the of the space shuttle fleet. It is scheduled for an April 19 launch from Kennedy Space Center. Endeavour is slated for a 14-day mission which will include four space walks. Its main goal is to deliver a $1.5 billion astrophysics experiment called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station. The spectrometer will be used to study cosmic rays and to search for anitmatter.
Endeavour was constructed to replace Challenger and flew its first mission in May, 1992. It is named after the British HMS Endeavour, the ship that took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery in 1768. This is why it is spelled in the British English manner instead of the American English spelling, Endeavor.
Endeavour's crew will be lead by Commander Mark Kelly. You may recall Mark Kelly's wife, congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was seriously wounded in a Tucson, Arizona shooting where several others were killed. Miraculously, she is making great strides and hopes to attend Endeavour's final launch.
Endeavour's Stats
- 24 Missions
- 4,429 Orbits
- 280 Days in orbit
Endeavour's Final Crew
- Mark Kelly, Commander
- Gregory Johnson, Pilot
- Michael Fincke, Mission Specialist
- Greg Chamitoff, Mission Specialist
- Andrew Feustel, Mission Specialist
- Roberto Vittori, European Space Agency Astronaut
MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!
That was a lot of wonderful information. We will have left Florida by then.
ReplyDeleteOh lots of fun facts!
ReplyDeleteWe are getting excited! I’m starting to feel like I need to get my booty in gear. Lots of little things to tie up before we leave. We picked our wedding music and flowers yesterday. Fun stuff!
Kendra aka "Domestic Princess in Training"
Thanks for the photos and the fun information. How interesting to know that about the congresswoman's husband. Two famous and successful people!
ReplyDeleteI loved your comment about fruit soup on a cruise. That was where I first had it too! I had a coconut one that was simply a cloud. I asked on another cruise and they said theirs was just melted ice cream with flavorings added. Sounds easy!
Informative.
ReplyDeleteMy Blue, hope to see you. Thank you!
I lOVE that you did this post!! I did a post a couple of weeks ago on the end Shuttle program. My husband was the lead programmer for the on board systems for many many years. This is a bitter sweet time for us. I love that you put this out there for people to be reminded of the program and hope people know all the good this program has done toward cancer research and so much more!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I can't help but think about how many changes the space program has brought into our lives. Thanks for sharing your blues.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blue Monday, La.
Those are fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of your cousin to let you post these pictures.I will be watching on April 19 th
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and fantastic photos. Wonderful info on the space program and shuttle.
ReplyDeleteGreat post...thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete