johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 The penultimate Space Shuttle launch, the final Discovery launch is scheduled for 3:52p.m. EDT - November 3, 2010. That's 7:52pm UK time. 70% chance of a launch due to weather around Cape Canaveral. Already been postponed from a Monday launch due to a seal issue. Hoping to be out there in late Feb for the final launch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Oooh yes, I've got it in my calendar but didn't post up about it (Already nabbed the plasma in the office for the launch ) Should be a nice launch, I see they have had a few issues... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I wonder if Gav is still planning a trip. that'd be fun stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 I wonder if Gav is still planning a trip. that'd be fun stuff Well, I'm open to go with anyone! I asked my missus if she fancied a 4 day trip over to watch it and "sod off you bore" was the standard reply. A few other mates have no interest, so a group flight to see it would be perfik! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Well, I'm open to go with anyone! I asked my missus if she fancied a 4 day trip over to watch it and "sod off you bore" was the standard reply. A few other mates have no interest, so a group flight to see it would be perfik! Winnebago? I said to Gav if he goes I'm buying him a redneck shirt that he's got to wear whilst watching the launch, preferably from the roof of said vehicle, can of beer in hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Winnebago? I said to Gav if he goes I'm buying him a redneck shirt that he's got to wear whilst watching the launch, preferably from the roof of said vehicle, can of beer in hand. If you can put up with my snoring, then it's WIN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I'm in (shirt and all ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Any idea of costs? once in a lifetime opportunity comes to mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 £60-70/day for a decent 7-people winnebago. So it'd be flying to Florida, or a state near then Road triiiiipppp Wow you can get some with a Ford V10 in Not sure on flights. Maybe we need to do some decent research. Me and Gav would be out of Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, I'm not sure from further up north. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Flights would be the main cost, Gav's shirt can be had from Walmart for $1. I think a grand would cover it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Final mission? Are they leaving people up on the ISS for the next 10 years then until the replacement comes along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Flights would be the main cost, Gav's shirt can be had from Walmart for $1. I think a grand would cover it Have you seen some of the people that shop at walmart, I wouldn't.....oh wait, never mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Have you seen some of the people that shop at walmart, I wouldn't.....oh wait, never mind Hey, you don't get a choice! I'm buying the shirt Hmm, I'll have to get agreement with my CFO (missus) about this, then maybe move to the planning stage. What are the dates around Feb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Final mission? Are they leaving people up on the ISS for the next 10 years then until the replacement comes along? An agreement has been made with the Russians to utalise a number of their rockets to ferry people back and forth to the ISS. Likely it will only have another 10 year life anyway. Nothing to replace the shuttle at this stage. All seems a little backwards dosent it! I mean you can tell your kids back in the 1960s man was walking on the moon. Now we can't even effectively go into space. it's a sad day for mankind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Hey, you don't get a choice! I'm buying the shirt Hmm, I'll have to get agreement with my CFO (missus) about this, then maybe move to the planning stage. What are the dates around Feb? I believe the proposed launch date is Feb 28th 2011. Personally, I'd fly out on the day before if possible and stay for 5-7 days, incase of delays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Nothing to replace the shuttle at this stage. All seems a little backwards dosent it! I mean you can tell your kids back in the 1960s man was walking on the moon. Now we can't even effectively go into space. it's a sad day for mankind. But didn't Obama just pass a lot of legislation for Nasa? http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/10/space-20-will-obamas-signing-new-nasa-legislation-create-the-next-google.html Agreed, otherwise it'll be another Concorde moment, a step back technology wise with nothing succeeding it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_p Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Or alternatively, delay it for a month and come to Supra nationals with me instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 But didn't Obama just pass a lot of legislation for Nasa? http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/10/space-20-will-obamas-signing-new-nasa-legislation-create-the-next-google.html Agreed, otherwise it'll be another Concorde moment, a step back technology wise with nothing succeeding it. I'm not sure if that covers the actually Shuttle itself - as that's coming to the end of it's service-life. We have to do this, I think. I'm going, but would prefer not to go on my own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilkinson Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 But didn't Obama just pass a lot of legislation for Nasa? http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/10/space-20-will-obamas-signing-new-nasa-legislation-create-the-next-google.html Agreed, otherwise it'll be another Concorde moment, a step back technology wise with nothing succeeding it. Interesting read, thanks. All seems a little vague and lacking in any real interest. I think the good old days of space exploration are gone. The problem will always rest with cost. It's so expensive that it had to be done by countries or government consortiums where cost/loss almost wasn't a factor. It will no doubt happen under privatisation but will most definately be prohibatively expensive to 99.99% of the world, well at least in my life time. I doubt there will be a viable private space program for at least 50 years or more. I know there are private projects for space tourism which has achieved a great deal but they are a long way off yet. I say this meaning I don't count space skimming to be real space. I would define that as positioning a craft in orbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 When's the first space elevator gonna be put up I wonder! That'd be a landmark event. Doubt it'll be in the next 50 years though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 When's the first space elevator gonna be put up I wonder! That'd be a landmark event. Doubt it'll be in the next 50 years though. I reckon JamieP will hit escape velocity first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Okay, Caseys and I have been discussing this seriously, and started looking at flights and winnebago hire. The rough plan is to hire the winnie, and park up as close as 'legally' possible to the launch site for it. Quick look at flights seem to indicate that 26feb to 4mar is the cheapest so far (Virgin) coming in at £449/person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Latest news Weather is 30% go for Thursday and 70% go for Friday launch, but tech has to be fixed first. Must be a safe flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This should be good... Then I'll look forward to the shit weather we get after they throw one of them up in the sky..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Okay, Caseys and I have been discussing this seriously, and started looking at flights and winnebago hire. The rough plan is to hire the winnie, and park up as close as 'legally' possible to the launch site for it. Quick look at flights seem to indicate that 26feb to 4mar is the cheapest so far (Virgin) coming in at £449/person. Am in, but I'll be going premium economy. Don't do standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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