Space Shuttle Launched At Florida
By Arnab Ghosh, Gaea News NetworkSaturday, May 15, 2010
FLORIDA (GaeaTimes.com)- After much anticipation, space shuttle Atlantis blast off into sky yesterday from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center around afternoon as planned and the last flight of the famous space shuttle was watched by a huge crowd that gathered in nearby areas. The weather was just suitable for the launch and everything went as planned. Some people assembled at the adjacent Jeffy Park to see the shuttle taking off and also alongside the Indian River.
On what has been said is its last mission, the space shuttle Atlantis is carrying 6 astronauts. Even though NASA plans to put the shuttle program under carpet for now, when the space shuttle returns it will not be dismantled. It has carried into space more than 200 astronauts in its 25 years of existence. It is its 32nd mission. The shuttle will reach the International Space Station. In its latest mission the shuttle is delivering Rassvet, a unique Russian-built module and accessories for the orbital facility. The astronauts who are on board Atlantis in the latest mission are Pilot Tony Antonelli and 5 Mission Specialists. They are all experience space fliers. It is supposed to dock to the space station at Sunday morning around 10 am.
After this the space shuttle may take two more flight but in all probability they will take place within this year. After that it will be preserved in museums. Mike Leinbach, who is the shuttle launch director of NASA gave the nod for the shuttle to take off and encouraged the crew on board to enjoy their voyage in the days ahead.
