http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/135_splash/index.html
the final launch was this year, have been listening to the guardian science podcast's about it, which are really excellent, especially 'sounds of the space shuttle' (basically a vivid description of the launch/living conditions/re entry, all to a glorious soundscape of the actual craft)
links
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio/2011/jul/12/science-weekly-podcast-space-shuttle
there is also 'requiem for the space shuttle' which i highly reccomend listening to.
I also watched a documentry on youtube (name escapes me, could find the link if I had more time) where they explained a few fun facts that you may/may not know:
1.) The shuttle re-enters the earth’s atmosphere at over 12,000mph, and once it has finished it’s re-entry burn it will be landing within 45 minutes.
2.) The bottom of the craft contains thousands of silicon tiles, in a type of mosaic. Each one is individually inspected upon each landing and before each launch. The material they are made from can be heated in a furnace to a red/orange glow, and can be touched (or picked up) within 1 & ½ minutes from being removed.
3.) A commercial jet will begin it’s decent at 3deg, the space shuttle’s is around 30. (gulp)
post space shuttle trivia/links here
the final launch was this year, have been listening to the guardian science podcast's about it, which are really excellent, especially 'sounds of the space shuttle' (basically a vivid description of the launch/living conditions/re entry, all to a glorious soundscape of the actual craft)
links
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/audio/2011/jul/12/science-weekly-podcast-space-shuttle
there is also 'requiem for the space shuttle' which i highly reccomend listening to.
I also watched a documentry on youtube (name escapes me, could find the link if I had more time) where they explained a few fun facts that you may/may not know:
1.) The shuttle re-enters the earth’s atmosphere at over 12,000mph, and once it has finished it’s re-entry burn it will be landing within 45 minutes.
2.) The bottom of the craft contains thousands of silicon tiles, in a type of mosaic. Each one is individually inspected upon each landing and before each launch. The material they are made from can be heated in a furnace to a red/orange glow, and can be touched (or picked up) within 1 & ½ minutes from being removed.
3.) A commercial jet will begin it’s decent at 3deg, the space shuttle’s is around 30. (gulp)
post space shuttle trivia/links here