The Official Space Exploration Thread

[DSJ™]

Discovery & her crew are back. 











Atlantis orbiter is slated to launch one of the most complicated ISS construction missions in just six week’s time. 

[Matt_Fury]

I watched the landing this morning....picture perfect.

I hope they do step up Shuttle launches since, as far as the ISS goes, they have an ambitious mission and a relatively short timetable to complete it (four years).

I doubt the replacement for the Shuttle will have the same payload capacity.

[Darth_Anton]

I was so out of contact with civilization on Monday that by the time I got to the news, the landing wasn't even being reported anymore. Glad I can rely on DSJ.

[DSJ™]

Your more than Welcome. 

You can view the mission at the Video Gallery at the Nasa.gov site.   

Video features

From Space.com

Virgin Galactic Aims to Fly Passengers by 2008

Untill more space reports, enjoy the view. 

[DSJ™]

Psssssssssssssst! Ya got $35 million to spare?

Spacewalks for sale
Space tourists offered 'holy grail of spaceflight'

[DSJ™]

The space shuttle Atlantis & her crew are gearing up for a launch currently targeted for August 27.



After their arrival at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, the STS-115 crew poses for a photo after talking to the media. From left are Mission Specialists Daniel Burbank, Steven MacLeanwho represents the Canadian Space Agency, Joseph Tanner and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper; Commander Brent Jett; and Pilot Christopher Ferguson.
Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton.

During their 11 days in space, the astronauts will install the integrated P3/P4 truss segment with its two large solar arrays that will provide one-fourth of the total power generation capability of the completed station.

Dang! 1 day before my move so I might out of the loop during this mission. 

[DSJ™]

Space Shuttle Atlantis a go for launch on Aug. 27th. 

NASA sets shuttle Atlantis launch date

[Tracy]

Wait, NASA's going to let Officer Travis Junior fly the Shuttle? 

[Darth_Anton]

CNN is reporting that the international Astronomers community might upgrade the solar system to 12 planets. Pluto would stay, but it's moon Cheron would be added as well as Xena which is larger (and further) than Pluto. The largest Asteroid, Ceres, would also re-gain it's planet status (it was considered a planet in the 1800's.)

[Mikey D]

CNN is reporting that the international Astronomers community might upgrade the solar system to 12 planets. Pluto would stay, but it's moon Cheron would be added as well a Xena which is larger (and further) than Pluto. The largest Asteroid Ceres would also re-gain it's planet status (it was considered a planet in the 1800's.)

That's so going to **** up kid's science projects.

[Aucassin]

Wait, NASA's going to let Officer Travis Junior fly the Shuttle? 

That was my first thought too! 

[DSJ™]

Wait, NASA's going to let Officer Travis Junior fly the Shuttle? 

1st. Robin Williams & now Officer Travis Junior, what more do you want? 

[DSJ™]

Pluto gets the boot. Pluto no longer a planet, say astronomers

Pluto Demoted: No Longer a Planet in Highly Controversial Definition

[Matt_Fury]

Crap....does this mean I didn't actually get 100 on my Astonomy test in school when I said there were nine planets? 

[Famine]

Tell this to my 2nd grade teacher.

Kevin