Will Repair Small but Critical Shuttle Component for Food

Locally, thousands more will be unemployed very shortly. (I hear Disney's hiring part-time "cast members.") The US Labor Secretary will be down this morning to announce some federal money to help those about to be out of work.

Elaborated on more at Radio Free Babylon.

131 Down - 3 To Go

Space Shuttle Discovery this morning, on mission STS-131, as seen from 70 miles to the west. (Click for very large.)

Horrible Headline Hell

Headline writers at news organizations are apparently a fun lot, occasionally infusing their work with cutesy crap, and too often going for alliteration, which is like the slapstick of prose. Red pen had to come out.

Airstream Product Placement

The caption of this official NASA image reads: "Crew members for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-126 mission pause by the Astrovan to wave to spectators before their ride to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center."

Yeah. They called it an Astrovan. Doesn't matter. Everyone knows who built this thing.

The script logo above the astronaut on the far right reads very clearly, "Airstream." This image might as well be captioned: "The coolest RV ever invented. So cool, astronauts cruise around in it. Airstream rules. NASA uses Airstream. All other motor-homes, trailers and RVs can kiss our silver, streamlined ass."

See another very cool Airstream here, designed by Design Within Reach.

Not a Fan - But Love The Work

I'm on record as being not so fond of NASA, but there' s something about a shuttle launch that makes you go, "Damn! That was awesome!" These photos were taken by a friend who was in Daytona Beach today, a good 80 miles from the launch site. (That's 128 kilometers for you more enlightened, International readers.) Said my Dad, watching from even further away, "It was such a nice day I was able to see the separation from my backyard without binocs." Here's an image of the pair of solid rocket boosters falling into the Atlantic as the shuttle slips the surly bonds of earth.



Previously in NASA
Aerosmith for NASA with bad production
Good for Something After All
NASA Needs a Slogan
Lisa Nowak - The Reason I'm Late from Lunch
In Space, No One Can Hear You Pee
The Games Astronauts Play
Buy an Astronaut a Drink
Rocket to the Moon and Race Right Back
Astronaughties

I'm Easily Amused

I know, I know. Taking pictures while driving is wrong, but I couldn't resist the sequence on my odometer this morning on the way to work. I'm a simpleton. I also smile when I glance at the clock and it's 4:44. A cool number.















I meant to get a shot of the shuttle taking off this morning, but I was in a meeting. Who schedules a meeting when the shuttle is launching?

Here's some older shuttle launch shots from the backyard.

Oh - YOU'RE The Reason for the Gridlock

Had I known today was the start of Lisa Nowak's hearing in downtown Orlando, I'd have stayed put at lunch.











Satellite trucks from every news outlet are tying up traffic as they bring you the sordid details of the soiled diapers. (Someone stop me before I alliterate again. Creative crutch.)

Previously:
In Space, No One Can Hear You Pee
The Games Astronauts Play
Buy an Astronaut a Drink
Rocket to the Moon and Race Right Back
Astronaughties

Rocket to the Moon and Race Right Back

...To my holograph room and my new jetpack.

I'm on record as not being a huge fan of NASA, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying a little Friday evening shuttle launch in the backyard now and again. I visited the Space Center once. Pretty dull, to be truthful. But a shuttle launch is something to see, even from 70 miles away.




Previously in NASA related.