July 08, 2025

14 YEARS AGO TODAY ~ THE END OF AN ERA

On July 8, 2011, fourteen years ago today, at 11:26 a.m., the last launch of a space shuttle lifted off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida.

That morning was hot and muggy and although we could hear the booms of lift off and feel earth tremors below our feet ~ the "trails" were but a small dot of light in an overcast sky from our distant spot along the Indian River.  

My husband and I had taken our little grandboy to see this historic launch, ATLANTIS STS-135, though his interest was minimal.  And for us, it was a bit of a disappointment, as we had been privileged for many years to see shuttle launches up close and personal ...


If you would like to read the original post about 
this launch in more detail, please just CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW.


Today, these many magnificent shuttles are housed in museums around
 the United States, telling their stories of the great achievements of man and machine 
and the historic significance and contributions of this era.
Shuttle ATLANTIS makes its home at the Kennedy Space Center, 
Merritt Island, Florida.

_____________________

A little extra, 
that disinterested (at the time) little grandboy, did become
more interested years later, built his own shuttle ... 
maybe "space" is in his future when he grows up?



 



4 comments:

  1. such an event it is like a treasure we keep in our memory..

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  2. Even though it was distant, you saw a part of history to see the final launch of the space shuttle. I think it was in 2010 that we spent a few days in Miami before boarding a cruise back to the UK. We took a small private tour to Kennedy Space Center. I am confused because I thought it had reverted to being called Cape Canaveral. There were a lot of displays and a film we were able to watch of the view of Earth from one of the spaceships.
    It was also the place I lost one of my nan's earrings. They were gold studs, but with wires not a butterfly on the back. They were the only ones I could wear without getting a rash and I wore them 24 hours a day for over 45 years.

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  3. Even at some distance that must have been exciting to experience!

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  4. We love the Lego spacecraft best! It would be interesting to see one of those launch but Mom has never had any interest in space and space travel. We were down by somewhere they launch things in Florida a few years ago but nothing much was happening and it was so secure you couldn't get close enough to see anything anyway. What a great memory for you, though.

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