(Image Source: NASA)
BY STEVEN HSIEH
You're watching multisource science video news analysis from Newsy.
Mission complete, Houston! After 30 years – the end of an era.
The shuttle Atlantis landed Thursday at 5:57 a.m. eastern time, marking the end of NASA’s space shuttle program.
“Having fired the imagination of a generation, a ship like no other, it’s place in history secured, the space shuttle pulls into port for the last time – its voyage at an end.” (NASA)
NBC checked in with the four astronauts aboard Atlantis on the final day of their mission. Mission specialist Rex Walheim reflected on what he considers the biggest success of NASA’s shuttle program.
“We’ve now completed the International Space Station, so now we can enter an era of utilization, where we do that groundbreaking research, where we can help find out how to make medicines target cancers better, how to understand how the human body reacts to long times in space, and also how to make an environmental system last for more than 6 months so we can take those long journeys to go off to the moon or Mars. The space shuttle has enabled all that and it’s done an absolutely magnificent job.”
And while some say the end of the shuttle signals America’s declining power – a writer for Wired says it’s a chance for the U.S. to try something new-- and more efficient.
“So here’s to the space shuttle — the most visually impressive high-tech boondoggle in American history. With the deadly, giant space plane consigned to museums where it belongs, America’s civil and military space agencies can get about the business of winning the space race, with orbital craft far better suited to the job.”
An ASU physicist takes that criticism a step further-- calling the shuttle program a –quote “multi-billion-dollar-failure”.
“While many are mourning this loss, the last flight of the space shuttle instead provides an opportunity to rethink space exploration and a time to cut our losses from a failed programme that has been a colossal waste of resources, time and creative energy.” (The Guardian)
And ABC reports – for some people, the end of an era marks the end of employment.
“Tomorrow, reality really sets in. 4,000 pinks slips go out tomorrow to NASA employees here at the Kennedy Space Center. They will be looking for new jobs as the space shuttle winds down. A NASA administrator today insisting America will rededicate itself to getting humans back into space, to launching again. But when that is going to happen, and exactly how – it’s a little murky right now.”
NASA will place a permanent marker on the runway – at the Atlantis’ final touchdown point. The shuttle, along with three other orbiters will be showcased in museums around the country. We’ll leave you with these words from Atlantis commander Chris Ferguson, moments after landing.
Capt. Ferguson: “Great work, great work. You know, the space shuttle’s changed the way we view the world. And it’s changed the way we view the universe. A lot of emotion today, but one thing is indisputable. America will never stop exploring. Thank you Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Endeavor and our ship Atlantis. Thank you for protecting us and bringing this program to such a fitting end. God bless all of you, and God bless America!”
Houston: “Inspiring comments, Atlantis. We’ll meet you on five-dash-three.”
'Like Newsy' on Facebook for video news in your feed.
Transrcript by Newsy.
