End of the space age

The US space shuttle Atlantis has launched from Florida on what is expected to be its final outing.  That is kind of historic I guess.  I mean, from now on there will be no reusable spacecraft dipping into and out of space

The orbiter soared into blue skies above the Kennedy Space Center, leaving the pad at 1420 local time (1820 GMT).

Its 12-day mission will take it to the International Space Station (ISS) where it will deliver a Russian module.

Only two further flights remain after this one, by Discovery and Endeavour. Nasa is trying to get these missions concluded before the end of the year.

The orbiter fleet will then be retired to museums.

Big crowds had gathered on the roads leading to the Nasa facility and on the beaches of Florida’s Space Coast, all eager to catch the spectacular ascent of a shuttle one more time.

Mike Leinbach, Nasa’s shuttle launch director, gave the final go for launch.

“On behalf of all the manufacturing, processing, flight and launch teams that have worked on Atlantis since March of 1980, I’d like to wish you all good luck, God speed; and have a little fun up there,” he told the crew.

Commander Ken Ham radioed back: “If you don’t mind we’ll take her out of the barn and make a few more laps around the planet.”

The crew’s mission badge shows Atlantis flying into a sunset.

The ship climbed to orbit without apparent problem, shutting down its main engines eight-and-a-half minutes after leaving Kennedy and having reached an altitude of some 220km (120 nautical miles).

The crew will use a sensor system on the end of a robotic arm to check the integrity of the vehicle’s exterior surfaces on day two of the mission. Docking with the ISS should occur on day three.

And then what?  How so astronauts get to and from the international space station from now on?  Presumably in a Russian rocket, powered by lada engines.  Frankly, one fears for the future of space travel!