SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
Brian Locke, formerly of Mountain View, attended the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour May 16 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Locke has watched about 30 shuttle launches over the years, and asked to cover the Endeavour launch, as it is scheduled to be the last flight for that shuttle, and the next to last flight in the 30-year U.S. Shuttle Program.
Endeavour at the launch pad.
Astronaut Mike Good, who served on the last Hubble mission, stands at the countdown clock.
Main engines start.
Endeavour (STS-134) blasted off at the Kennedy Space Center on time, at 8:56:28 AM EDT. Locke said the cloud cover allowed only about 12 seconds of viewing, but the noise continued for several minutes, as windows rattled, car alarms were triggered and onlookers cheered.
Endeavour’s 14-day mission is to travel to the International Space Station to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS). AMS, a particle physics detector, is designed to search for various types of unusual matter by measuring cosmic rays. Its experiments are designed to help researchers study the formation of the universe and search for evidence of dark matter, strange matter and antimatter. Endeavour also will fly the Expedite the Processing of Experiment to Space Station (Express) Logistics Carrier 3 (ELC-3), a platform that carries spare parts that will sustain space station operations once the shuttles are retired from service. The mission will feature four spacewalks to do maintenance work and install new components. These are the last scheduled spacewalks by shuttle crew members.
Lift off, tower cleared, begin roll maneuver.
Just before it disappeared into the clouds.
While at Kennedy Space Center, Locke was able to view preparations of the Shuttle Atlantis and meet some of that shuttle crew, including Commander Chris Ferguson and Mission Specialist Rex Walheim.
Locke watched the rolling out of Atlantis from the processing building, and was also hoping to view the entire process as it is moved to the launch platform.
Locke with Mission Specialist Rex Walheim.
Related links:
Press Kit:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/538352main_sts134_presskit_508.pdf
Mission Summary;
Endeavor Flight Fact Sheet;
Count Down by the computers clock;