Relive Spaceflight Now's exclusive coverage of the launch of Atlantis and the NASAtweetup on this page where we have posted the full show clip as well as clips of some of our interviews. The Spaceflight Now team is glad to be able to share the adventure with more people here.
Sadly I did not get a chance to witness Shephard's first flight, a Saturn V lumbering off the pad, or the gutsiest testflight ever - STS-1. But I am proud to say I was part of another piece of space history - the first Tweetup at KSC. Let us hope it launches a new era for engaging another generation in the excitement of space exploration. To paraphrase the vanguard moonwalker: it was one small step for tweet-kind - one giant leap for a space agency at a crucial crossroad.
The experience of watching all you tweeters cheer and wave at the astronauts heading to the launch pad reminded me how unique an experience it is getting to see people leave the planet.
Space Shuttles each have their own personalities. I have had the privilege of flying on three of them, but never on Atlantis. They are magnificent flying machines, unmatched in capability and flexibility. When they are gone, everything will change. As the cheers of the "Tweeters" at the Press site were drowned out by the rumble, snap, crackle and pop of the Shuttle main engines and solid rocket boosters, I couldn't help but think of the looming "Gap," during which time the United States will have no independent astronaut launch capability. But at launch time, I decided to bask in the glory of the moment, to celebrate our nation's space program, to cheer on the crew.
I think this was our best shuttle launch webcast to date! The enthusiasm of all the tweeters who got to see the launch from a "front row seat" really added an extra jolt of energy to the atmosphere. I hope you enjoy reliving the day with us here.
Mission Status Center
Miles O'Brien (center), David Waters (left), and astronaut Leroy Chiao anchor Spaceflight Now's live interactive coverage.
