STS-86

Atlantis – NASA STS 135 – The Final Space Shuttle Flight

Scott D Welch

The final flight of the three decade long Space Shuttle program, featuring STS 135 Atlantis, launched just before noon on Friday, July 8, 2011.

For many members of Main Street USA, especially those who grew up in the 1950’s and have watched the evolution of space travel and exploration, STS 135 marks the end of an era that may never be replaced. Below photo: Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett.

This blogger was with a group of friends at Cape Kennedy for the launch of STS 86 Atlantis, on Sepember 25, 1997, and we all watched in awe as the boosters propelled the craft from the launch pad into space. It was truly a spectacle to behold.

However, it appears that those fortunate individuals witnessing STS 135 will be the last of the breed.


Hopefully, Congress, in its infinite wisdom, will rapdily bring back a space program that has contributed in many ways to America.

Until then: R.I.P. Space Shuttle.

Over For Now.

Main Street One

NASA STS-131 An Incredible Sight

Scott D Welch

I realize that there are those who disagree with space exploration while things here on good ole Earth are in such a mess.

However, I will not get into a discussion regarding that topic with this post. I will, for now, just go on record stating that Main Street One supports the Mission of NASA.

A couple of days ago, NASA Kennedy sent Discovery STS-131 into space taking equipment to the International Space Station.

The launch itself is, to this Main Streeter, pure beauty.

For anyone with the time, this is a 2:43 minute video of the moments leading to T-minus and lift-off.


I was fortunate enough to be on hand, several years ago, to witness with my own eyes the launch of Atlantis STS-86 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Though we were approximately one mile from the actual launch pad (that is the closest, I was told, that non-authorized mission personnel are allowed), the spectacle our group watched was magnificent.

Unfortunately I lost the digital photos taken at the time (computer crash several years ago with no file backup-stupid, I know). However, NASA keeps very good records.

This is the launch of STS-86:

This is the launch of STS-131:

As stated earlier, to this person, it is a thing of beauty.

Over For Now.

Main Street One