Over three decades, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour flew more than 100 missions. NPR takes a look back at some of the momentous video that came out of NASA’s space shuttle program. An incredible look back at one of the most important space programs of our life time, a bit sad that none of us will probably see another shuttle launch for a long long time.

- T, I drive a tonne I am talking sometimes 6 to 8 hour round trips, so I spend a lot of time listening to a lot of music and a lot of radio especially NPR, which in my opinion has better production value than most of whats on tv or even the internet for that matter, proper journalism. Sadly we don’t get local telecast but when I saw this video pop up in my inbox I knew I had to post this up.

Anyone who’s familiar with my other blog will know that I’m a huge fan of good night time/sky timelapse photography.  This effort by Daniel Dragon Films is one of the better ones.  The fact that they’ve chosen a really dark and moody soundtrack really adds to the film.

- S, make sure you watch in HD and with the sound way up.

This had to be shared, I usually detest posting Youtube clips, cause I hate the look of the player but this is too cool. Might try use my stop timer remote tonight.

- T, 4am to 7am!

Been a while since we had a space themed post, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still massive geeks. Virgin’s Galactic program recently had its first “feathered flight”. Don’t know what that means? Watch the video and find out.

- t, one step closer…

- t, coooool

It’s that time of year again, and I couldn’t care less about cheap nasty chocolate from China. I prefer the much less lead riddled option of The Big Picture’s yearly tradition of an advent calendar compiled from images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

- t, click the pic for the link

As I write this, above the earth Space Shuttle Atlantis is currently serving its final mission ever. With the NASA shuttle program winding down, we begin to see the instantly recognisable beasts take their final flights into the black abyss that is outer space. May 14th marked the launch of Atlantis on its 32nd, and final mission. With it, we move ever closer to the shutting down of NASA’s shuttle missions, with only two left. It’s sad to think that these somewhat cumbersome creations from the 80s will no longer be in service.

One of my favourite sites around, The Big Picture documents the journey from last November’s gentle glide landing to Atlantis’ turn around this week and it’s paradoxically violent firing towards the sky once again. Some great images of a subject that will never bore me. Check it all out here.

- t

I tried to get this done before it passed my birthday, but I failed by 10 minutes. Please forgive me an read on…

- t

(more…)