NZFF

by **Efliernz** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:35 am

I spotted this and I think it is one of the best history "capture that moment" shots I've seen

"Father and Son: STS-1 and STS-135," a photo by Chris Bray, who is the younger of the two in these side-by-side captures from the very first shuttle launch thirty years ago, and the final one, last Friday. "The picture we waited 30 years to complete."

Watching a shuttle launch was on my "bucket list"... fail! Oh well, one less thing to be saving for!!!

Pete

by **Charl** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:52 am

Great pic... I can remember reading about the proposed Shuttle missions as science fiction!

And I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when news of the Challenger disaster came on 28th of January, 1986.
Can't believe it was so long ago, it somehow profoundly affected me.
Perhaps we'd become casual about the whole space thing.
Those missions were not casual.

by **Naki** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:11 am

Wow neat stuff..the younger of the two still has the same shirt on!

by **Efliernz** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:33 am

Shuttle moments...

Being just a youngster... I got up before school (for several days) to see the 1st launch on tv.

I was in hospital when Challenger was lost and it was a week before I could see the video.

When Columbia was lost, I was working midnight shift in a 24x7 comms ops room. I said to the guys "do you mind if I turn the tv over to watch the re-entry". Over it went... just in time to watch (thanks to a super-zoom tv camera) bits coming off the shuttle, while on the other half of the split tv screen Nasa controllers were talking to the crew as though nothing was wrong... and then it went quiet. Horrible to watch...

Mum and Dad did take a photo July 1969 (just after my twin sister and my 1st birthday) sisting in front of the tv watching Apollo

Pete

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:11 pm

I was lucky to meet shuttle pilot Brian Duffy on two occasions and Neil Armstrong . The Shuttle I have here toured schools , the science alive venue in Christchurch and many airshows notably Wanaka many times with the New Zealand Space Team , it even gets a spot in airshow videos .

Paul , as for that shirt , i has faded a little bit obviously due to a couple wash,s

Pete , we had a day off school to watch the Apollo launch and the moon landing the days latter .

by **deeknow** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:43 pm

Thanks for sharing the pic Pete, very cool. Do you have a link to the flickr source of it, ie the persons profile page?

I guess we're all in a similar age group, I also remember watching the first launch as a youngsta, spellbound by the drama of it, dont think I really appreciated the reusability aspects as such. So on Friday last week I stayed up and watched the last launch and the 4-hours coverage before it streamed over the web. The detail and info was sensational, a bunch of former astronauts providing insight into the process and technology, I spose they could adfford to be more generous with the info seeing as it was the last one.

Awesome stuff. Wonder what plans are afoot for NASA if the US economy ever drags itself out of the gutter.

by **Efliernz** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:48 pm

Link... here it is

http://www.flickr.com/photos/arockalypse/5921961525/

Pete

by **HamiltonWest** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 1:02 pm

deeknow wrote:
QUOTE (deeknow @ Jul 13 2011,12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
. Wonder what plans are afoot for NASA if the US economy ever drags itself out of the gutter.

Private space race heats up
http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Private...ats-up-20110713

by **cowpatz** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 2:52 pm

A real shame to see it end and the symbolism of it should not be missed. With the US practically bankrupt (they owe almost 15 Trillion dollars or 15 Thousand Billion dollars - unable to fit on most calculators! and rising). Thats 100% of GDP and $46,500 for every man woman and child.
If that doesn't scare you watch the debt rise in real time here.

We are witnessing a shift of power from West to East and as a consequence we will see a very different world in our lifetimes...and not just from space.

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:12 pm

Think the whole world is spiraling out off control , CP was that US dollars or hamburgers consumed , .. away from jokes , another 1930s depression ?

by **deeknow** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:23 pm

Ian Warren wrote:
QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jul 13 2011,3:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
away from jokes , another 1930s depression ?

Yep, and how did they get out of that one??? ... War!

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:35 pm

Prity much Dean , I was going to mention that but ..yeah WAR !

by **cowpatz** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:56 pm

Actually it is scary stuff. Japan is in debt to it's own citizens (who have been lending money to their Govt at 0 % interest for years) to the tune of 220% GDP. Shortly they will have to borrow from overseas and that will lead to a further and rapid decline in their economy. 19 Prime Ministers in 21 years. Ireland, Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy have economies that are going down the toilet with the UK not far very behind it. Germany is the only economy heading in the right direction.
The threat of war is very real. All the factors are present it just needs a suitable catalyst ...oh and we have plenty of them. In fact why start a war when there are a few already going?
I guess the only saving grace is no one can afford one.

by **Ian Warren** » Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:11 pm

Strangely no one was prepared in 1939 , arrr that but that was because the big one to end the biggies 21 year earlier them whamo , Now NZ has depleted its strike capable force as with most the world declining , good way to save money , but what happens if it gos FUBAR! .. and possible threat ?

I guess the only saving grace is no one can afford one. They really could not pay back then and really still in a way paying for it ,

NZFF

The last Shuttle mission

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