View allAll Photos Tagged STS132

Friday, May 14, 2010 - 2:20 PM EST

 

Note: I still recommend Mission Control on SomaFM for your listening pleasure. Live STS-132 feed mixed with ambient music for the duration of the 12-day flight. So awesome.

 

Space shuttle Atlantis lifted off successfully from Kennedy Space Center this afternoon. This will likely be its final mission, and what a way to go! Perfect weather, beautiful blue sky, and relatively few snags during countdown. We drove down to Titusville for my first close viewing of a day launch.

 

Space View Park was packed when we arrived about 3.5 hours before liftoff, and the view from any available spots was obstructed by trees. We found room at the end of the adjacent tidal bay with a straight view to the launch pad. It looked like there was a bit of dry land a few feet down at the base of the wall along Indian River Avenue, and we figured I could walk a bit north to ensure that the covered dock didn't block my view of Launch Pad 39A. That didn't work out so well... and the process of discovering this served as entertainment for the crowd and left me with smelly mucky feet! Fortunately, some generous onlookers allowed me join them them on the wall in the coveted area. I sat next to a man and his son who came all the way from London, England to see Atlantis leave Earth for the last time. At least a hundred spectators waded out onto a sandbar in the water to get a similar view.

 

Needless to say, the launch was incredible!!! : )

______________

 

UPDATE: Featured in the 5/15/2010 Flickr Blog. Thank you!!!

We kept our daughter home from school when the first Shuttle was launched back in 1982. This is a screen grab, just awesome!

 

In just the 8 years since the amazing Shuttles were phased out, we have rockets that return to their landing sites! It seems to make the memory of the Shuttle launches seem long ago.

The historic final flight of Atlantis. Photo taken by a remote camera near Pad 39A activated by a sound activated trigger mechanism. Don't forget to view full size!

 

Flick Explore # 27

STS-132 (ISS assembly flight ULF4)[5] was a NASA Space Shuttle mission, during which Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on 16 May 2010.[6] STS-132 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 14 May 2010.[3] The primary payload was the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module, along with an Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD). Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center on 26 May 2010.

STS-132 (ISS assembly flight ULF4)[5] was a NASA Space Shuttle mission, during which Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on 16 May 2010.[6] STS-132 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 14 May 2010.[3] The primary payload was the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module, along with an Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD). Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center on 26 May 2010.

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132_rollout.html

 

As two workers look on at left, the orbiter Atlantis, strapped to 19-stories of space shuttle solid rocket booster and external fuel tank, crawls out the door of the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building for the final time April 21 at 11:31pm EDT, the start of its six-hour 3.4 mile trip to Pad 39A.

STS-132 (Atlantis) heading out on it's last trip to Pad A

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132_lift.html

 

In a rare special photo opportunity, the Orbiter Atlantis is raised and rotated vertically inside the Vehicle Assembly Building for lifting and attachment to the external fuel tank and pair of solid rocket boosters that will take it into space on STS-132, its final planned mission.

 

antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100508.html

I love that you can tell where someone was standing from the trajectory of their shuttle contrail.

 

[large]

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132_rollout.html

 

The orbiter Atlantis, strapped to 19-stories of space shuttle solid rocket booster and external fuel tank, crawls out the door of the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building for the final time April 21 at 11:31pm EDT, the start of its six-hour 3.4 mile trip to Pad 39A.

Editor's Note: This was just too good not to share. This is REALLY working "outdoors." Special thanks to the folks at Johnson Space Center for this gorgeous image. Please visit their link below.

 

NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, STS-132 mission specialist, participates in the mission's first session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station. During the seven-hour, 25-minute spacewalk, Reisman and NASA astronaut Steve Bowen (out of frame), mission specialist, loosened bolts holding six replacement batteries, installed a second antenna for high-speed Ku-band transmissions and adding a spare parts platform to Dextre, a two-armed extension for the station's robotic arm.

 

Image/caption credit: NASA

 

View original image/caption:

spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-23/html/...

 

More about space station science:

www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/index.html

 

There's a Flickr group about Space Station Science. Please feel welcome to join! www.flickr.com/groups/stationscience/

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132_lift.html

 

In a rare special photo opportunity, the Orbiter Atlantis is raised and rotated vertically inside the Vehicle Assembly Building for lifting and attachment to the external fuel tank and pair of solid rocket boosters that will take it into space on STS-132, its final planned mission.

T-Plus 92 seconds.

 

19 miles up, 20 miles down range from KSC.

About STS-132

 

STS-132 (ISS assembly flight ULF4) is the next shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station, targeted for 14 May 2010. The primary payload is scheduled to be the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module along with an Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD). STS-132 is also the first US spaceflight since STS 97 to only have veteran astronauts (astronauts who have flown at least one previous mission) on board.

  

~thursday after work I rented a 500mm lens with 1x4 extender and we drove up towards the Kennedy Space Center. Our tickets were scheduled for a 7 am arrival Friday morning. Buses started baording at 10 am and every thirty mintues until around 2. The lines were long - the buses we took stayed there with us, tons of buses! ( it wasn't revolving buses) short ride to the causeway, which is about 6 miles from the launch site (closest public viewing site). The shuttle launched on time - 2:20. As ready as I thought I was, well I wasn't. The lens was HUGE! and as you can see by the above photo, I was a second or two late, crucial seconds, for lift off. My first shots were over exposed - this was adjusted in LR. Overall, I would do it again! It was a fantastic opportunity and being so close, we wondered why we hadn't gone up before and why we waited until there were only 3 more launches left . . . . .

#42 (FIRE/FLAME) 100 Pictures for 2010 Challenge

Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-132 mission May 14th 2010 from Launch Pad 39A

Space Shuttle Atlantis on KSC Pad 39A, patiently awaiting her final flight.

Looks best big. The full-res one looks even better, but you'll have to take my word for that :)

 

5-shot sequence of Space Shuttle Atlantis lifting off from her launchpad at Kennedy Space Center on 5-16-2010 at 2:20pm. I was a part of the NASA Tweetup which allowed me to shoot this from the press area.

 

To get this series, I put my 7D in low-speed auto-advance, locked it on my tripod and used the cable release to lock the shutter open. As it was auto-firing, I grabbed my Canon EOS 7N film camera with 30mm lens and fired off a number of wide shots. In between occasionally dropping the camera to my side and simply watching with a :-o look on my face.

Space Shuttle Atlantis on KSC Pad 39A, patiently awaiting her final flight.

STS-132 Launch Tweetup participants gather in front of Space Shuttle Atlantis as it sits on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA Twitter followers in attendance had the opportunity to take a tour of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, view the space shuttle launch and speak with shuttle technicians, engineers, astronauts and managers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA crews ready Space Shuttle Atlantis for her final flight on STS-132.

Launch: May 14, 2010, 2:20 pm EDT

Landing: May 26, 2010, 8:48 am EDT, Kennedy Space Center

Space Shuttle: Atlantis

Crew: Commander Kenneth T. Ham, Pilot Dominic A. Antonelli, Mission Specialists Michael T. Good, Garrett E. Reisman, Piers J. Sellers, Stephen G. Bowen

 

STS-132 was the final planned mission for the space shuttle Atlantis, and was scheduled to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-built Mini Research Module to the International Space Station. This was the 34th space shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

 

NASA Media Usage Guidelines

 

Credit: NASA

Image Number: iss132-s-001

Date: February 2010

STS-132 Launch Tweetup participants gather at the launch clock prior to the launch of Atlantis, Friday, May 14, 2010, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA Twitter followers in attendance had the opportunity to take a tour of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, view the space shuttle launch and speak with shuttle technicians, engineers, astronauts and managers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

I always wanted to see a space shuttle launch. After hearing that there are only three launches left, I got into gear and did it! This is the last launch of space shuttle Atlantis. There are two more launches left for the other two shuttles. I was told the crowd for this launch was five times the normal amount. So if you go, go early because it will be very crowded.

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off. Shot from the NASA Causeway, about 6.5 miles south of the pad.

Editor's Note" This is image (8) of (18) in a series.

 

Enjoy this great series of images smoke and fire of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis lifted off on May 14 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on one of the final space shuttle visits to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver cargo, critical spare parts and a Russian laboratory. The STS-132 mission is the third of five shuttle launches planned for 2010 and the last scheduled mission for shuttle Atlantis.

 

Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

 

More about NASA's Space Shuttle program:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

STS-132 (ISS assembly flight ULF4)[5] was a NASA Space Shuttle mission, during which Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on 16 May 2010.[6] STS-132 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 14 May 2010.[3] The primary payload was the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module, along with an Integrated Cargo Carrier-Vertical Light Deployable (ICC-VLD). Atlantis landed at the Kennedy Space Center on 26 May 2010.

Space Shuttle Atlantis STS132 Launch May 14 2010

Editor's Note" This is image (18) of (18) in a series.

 

Enjoy this great series of images smoke and fire of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis lifted off on May 14 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on one of the final space shuttle visits to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver cargo, critical spare parts and a Russian laboratory. The STS-132 mission is the third of five shuttle launches planned for 2010 and the last scheduled mission for shuttle Atlantis.

 

Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

 

More about NASA's Space Shuttle program:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132_rollout.html

 

The orbiter Atlantis, strapped to 19-stories of space shuttle solid rocket booster and external fuel tank, crawls out the door of the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building for the final time April 21 at 11:31pm EDT, the start of its six-hour 3.4 mile trip to Pad 39A.

Atlantis (STS-132) coming in for its last landing at the Kennedy Space Center (May 26, 2010)

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132.html

 

The Space Shuttle Atlantis took to the space station Russia's Mini-Research Module "Rassvet" as well as a new Ku band antenna and new component for the Dextre remote maniplator on the ISS.

Here is the sequence of shots from ignition until 20 seconds. From our vantage point 6.5 miles south of the launch pad it too the sound almost 30 seconds to reach us. The thing that really surprised me the most was just how bright the flames were. It was almost hard to look at and in these shots I should have underexposed them a bit to bring out some of the details in there. Lesson learned.

 

Much, much bigger version here.

Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower creating massive billows of steam as STS-132 to the International Space Station in what may be it's final flight.

 

This shot was from the NASA Causeway, exactly 6.81 miles south of launch Complex 39A at a heading of 0.44*

14:20:13

T+00:00:00:31

www.launchphotography.com/STS-132.html

 

The Space Shuttle Atlantis took to the space station Russia's Mini-Research Module "Rassvet" as well as a new Ku band antenna and new component for the Dextre remote maniplator on the ISS.

Editor's Note" This is image (9) of (18) in a series.

 

Enjoy this great series of images smoke and fire of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis lifted off on May 14 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on one of the final space shuttle visits to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver cargo, critical spare parts and a Russian laboratory. The STS-132 mission is the third of five shuttle launches planned for 2010 and the last scheduled mission for shuttle Atlantis.

 

Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

 

More about NASA's Space Shuttle program:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

STS-132, Space Shuttle Atlantis mission to the ISS to install the Rassvet Mini-Research module (the first and only Russian-built ISS component launched by the shuttle).

 

Launched May 14 2010

STS-132, Space Shuttle Atlantis mission to the ISS to install the Rassvet Mini-Research module (the first and only Russian-built ISS component launched by the shuttle).

 

Launched May 14 2010

Editor's Note" This is image (7) of (18) in a series.

 

Enjoy this great series of images smoke and fire of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis lifted off on May 14 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on one of the final space shuttle visits to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver cargo, critical spare parts and a Russian laboratory. The STS-132 mission is the third of five shuttle launches planned for 2010 and the last scheduled mission for shuttle Atlantis.

 

Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

 

More about NASA's Space Shuttle program:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Editor's Note" This is image (6) of (18) in a series.

 

Enjoy this great series of images smoke and fire of the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis lifted off on May 14 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on one of the final space shuttle visits to the International Space Station. The mission will deliver cargo, critical spare parts and a Russian laboratory. The STS-132 mission is the third of five shuttle launches planned for 2010 and the last scheduled mission for shuttle Atlantis.

 

Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given

 

More about NASA's Space Shuttle program:

www.nasa.gov/shuttle

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