The End Of The Space Shuttle Era http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137712255&ft=1&f=137712255 NASA's space shuttle program spanned 30 years of launches and more than 100 missions. It was responsible for the construction of space stations, the deployment of satellites and telescopes and furthering the understanding of space science. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:42:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg The End Of The Space Shuttle Era http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137712255&ft=1&f=137712255 yes Shuttle Endeavour To Begin Voyage To New Home Piggybacking on a modified jumbo jet, the retired space shuttle will make its way from Florida to a permanent display site at the California Science Center. After this week's final flight, the 170,000-pound shuttle still has to navigate the streets of Los Angeles, which is no easy task. Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/09/18/161170420/shuttle-endeavour-begins-long-voyage-to-new-home?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2012/09/18/161170420/shuttle-endeavour-begins-long-voyage-to-new-home?ft=1&f=137712255 Piggybacking on a modified jumbo jet, the retired space shuttle will make its way from Florida to a permanent display site at the California Science Center. After this week's final flight, the 170,000-pound shuttle still has to navigate the streets of Los Angeles, which is no easy task. 225 no Piggybacking on a modified jumbo jet, the retired space shuttle will make its way from Florida to a permanent display site at the California Science Center. After this week's final flight, the 170,000-pound shuttle still has to navigate the streets of Los Angeles, which is no easy task.

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]]> Shuttle Discovery To Make Final Flight, Atop A 747 The first of NASA's retired space shuttles will make its way to its new retirement home on April 17. The well-traveled orbiter will be flown low over the nation's capital before being placed on permanent display at the Smithsonian. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/04/16/150723935/aboard-747-shuttle-discovery-to-make-final-flight?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2012/04/16/150723935/aboard-747-shuttle-discovery-to-make-final-flight?ft=1&f=137712255 The first of NASA's retired space shuttles will make its way to its new retirement home on April 17. The well-traveled orbiter will be flown low over the nation's capital before being placed on permanent display at the Smithsonian. 305 no The first of NASA's retired space shuttles will make its way to its new retirement home on April 17. The well-traveled orbiter will be flown low over the nation's capital before being placed on permanent display at the Smithsonian.

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]]> Last Space Shuttle Lands, Ending 30-Year Era The last NASA space shuttle mission into space has ended. Atlantis and its four crew members arrived at the Kennedy Space Center just before 6 a.m. ET. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/21/138564226/atlantis-on-schedule-for-landing-in-florida?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/07/21/138564226/atlantis-on-schedule-for-landing-in-florida?ft=1&f=137712255 The last NASA space shuttle mission into space has ended. Atlantis and its four crew members arrived at the Kennedy Space Center just before 6 a.m. ET. no The last NASA space shuttle mission into space has ended. Atlantis and its four crew members arrived at the Kennedy Space Center just before 6 a.m. ET.

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]]> Spaceflight Is Getting Cheaper. But It's Still Not Cheap Enough. Elon Musk wants us to live in other planets. First he has to make space flight affordable. So he took the fortune he made in Internet start-ups and started his own rocket company. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/07/21/138166072/spaceflight-is-getting-cheaper-but-its-still-not-cheap-enough?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/07/21/138166072/spaceflight-is-getting-cheaper-but-its-still-not-cheap-enough?ft=1&f=137712255 Elon Musk wants us to live in other planets. First he has to make space flight affordable. So he took the fortune he made in Internet start-ups and started his own rocket company. 318 no Elon Musk wants us to live in other planets. First he has to make space flight affordable. So he took the fortune he made in Internet start-ups and started his own rocket company.

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]]> Shuttle Memorabilia: Completing The Collection As the shuttle program ends, there's a growing interest in shuttle-related historical items and collectibles. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/21/138475758/shuttle-memorabilia-completing-the-collection?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/21/138475758/shuttle-memorabilia-completing-the-collection?ft=1&f=137712255 As the shuttle program ends, there's a growing interest in shuttle-related historical items and collectibles. 239 no As the shuttle program ends, there's a growing interest in shuttle-related historical items and collectibles.

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]]> So You Want To Be An Astronaut A request on NPR's Facebook page asking people to share their dreams of being an astronaut brought more than 1,000 responses. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138512385/so-you-want-to-be-an-astronaut?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138512385/so-you-want-to-be-an-astronaut?ft=1&f=137712255 A request on NPR's Facebook page asking people to share their dreams of being an astronaut brought more than 1,000 responses. 190 no A request on NPR's Facebook page asking people to share their dreams of being an astronaut brought more than 1,000 responses.

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]]> Questions Hang Over NASA's Post-Shuttle Future When NASA wrapped up its spaceship programs Mercury and Apollo, it had new vehicles ready to replace them. But the agency has no such plan now that the space shuttles are retiring. Some people say it's a sign the organization has lost its way, but the agency's leaders say NASA has a robust future. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138507386/what-s-next-for-nasa-as-space-shuttles-retire?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138507386/what-s-next-for-nasa-as-space-shuttles-retire?ft=1&f=137712255 When NASA wrapped up its spaceship programs Mercury and Apollo, it had new vehicles ready to replace them. But the agency has no such plan now that the space shuttles are retiring. Some people say it's a sign the organization has lost its way, but the agency's leaders say NASA has a robust future. 452 no When NASA wrapped up its spaceship programs Mercury and Apollo, it had new vehicles ready to replace them. But the agency has no such plan now that the space shuttles are retiring. Some people say it's a sign the organization has lost its way, but the agency's leaders say NASA has a robust future.

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]]> Ready For Retirement, Shuttles Get A Deep Clean At the facility where the retired space shuttles are being dismantled and prepared for museum displays, some technicians say even though much of the work is routine, it feels different knowing the spaceships are now permanently Earthbound. Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/19/138489879/ready-for-retirement-shuttles-get-a-deep-clean?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/19/138489879/ready-for-retirement-shuttles-get-a-deep-clean?ft=1&f=137712255 At the facility where the retired space shuttles are being dismantled and prepared for museum displays, some technicians say even though much of the work is routine, it feels different knowing the spaceships are now permanently Earthbound. 356 no At the facility where the retired space shuttles are being dismantled and prepared for museum displays, some technicians say even though much of the work is routine, it feels different knowing the spaceships are now permanently Earthbound.

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]]> NASA: Space Station's Best Days Are Still Ahead After more than a decade, major construction of International Space Station is complete. Scientists are now hoping that the next decade will be a golden age of research aboard the orbiting outpost. But with no American shuttle to transport astronauts and experiments, even simple logistics will be a major challenge. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/138478225/nasa-space-station-s-best-days-are-still-ahead?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/138478225/nasa-space-station-s-best-days-are-still-ahead?ft=1&f=137712255 After more than a decade, major construction of International Space Station is complete. Scientists are now hoping that the next decade will be a golden age of research aboard the orbiting outpost. But with no American shuttle to transport astronauts and experiments, even simple logistics will be a major challenge. 267 no After more than a decade, major construction of International Space Station is complete. Scientists are now hoping that the next decade will be a golden age of research aboard the orbiting outpost. But with no American shuttle to transport astronauts and experiments, even simple logistics will be a major challenge.

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]]> Crafting Shuttles: Labor Of Love, Vanishing Art Much of a space shuttle, from thermal tiles to the electrical system, is made by hand and crafted by skilled workers. Five years ago, NPR visited a shuttle workshop. Now, as the program concludes and shuttle construction and refurbishment winds down, we return to see what's next for the people who handmade the spaceships. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/137793223/crafting-shuttles-labor-of-love-vanishing-art?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/137793223/crafting-shuttles-labor-of-love-vanishing-art?ft=1&f=137712255 Much of a space shuttle, from thermal tiles to the electrical system, is made by hand and crafted by skilled workers. Five years ago, NPR visited a shuttle workshop. Now, as the program concludes and shuttle construction and refurbishment winds down, we return to see what's next for the people who handmade the spaceships. 466 no Much of a space shuttle, from thermal tiles to the electrical system, is made by hand and crafted by skilled workers. Five years ago, NPR visited a shuttle workshop. Now, as the program concludes and shuttle construction and refurbishment winds down, we return to see what's next for the people who handmade the spaceships.

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]]> The Handmade Space Shuttle Many parts of the space shuttles were built and crafted by the hands of skilled workers. See photos from the shuttles' construction and hear from some of the people who built the space ships. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/137802788/the-handmade-space-shuttle?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/137802788/the-handmade-space-shuttle?ft=1&f=137712255 Many parts of the space shuttles were built and crafted by the hands of skilled workers. See photos from the shuttles' construction and hear from some of the people who built the space ships. no Many parts of the space shuttles were built and crafted by the hands of skilled workers. See photos from the shuttles' construction and hear from some of the people who built the space ships.

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]]> No Stranger To Spaceships, N.M. Builds A Spaceport There's a lot of money to be made in shuttling back and forth to the space station, and several companies are competing in a new race to space. Whatever the new space vehicle is, it'll need a place to park — and New Mexico hopes it has the answer. Sun, 17 Jul 2011 07:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/17/138189768/no-stranger-to-spaceships-n-m-builds-a-spaceport?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/17/138189768/no-stranger-to-spaceships-n-m-builds-a-spaceport?ft=1&f=137712255 There's a lot of money to be made in shuttling back and forth to the space station, and several companies are competing in a new race to space. Whatever the new space vehicle is, it'll need a place to park — and New Mexico hopes it has the answer. 689 no There's a lot of money to be made in shuttling back and forth to the space station, and several companies are competing in a new race to space. Whatever the new space vehicle is, it'll need a place to park — and New Mexico hopes it has the answer.

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]]> Post-Shuttle, NASA To Keep Students Looking Up A child born today will never see an American space shuttle blast off from the Kennedy Space Center. That worries some educators, who see human space flight as a great recruiter for future scientists and engineers. Don't worry, NASA says, its education mission is far from over. Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/16/137860053/post-shuttle-nasa-to-keep-students-looking-up?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/16/137860053/post-shuttle-nasa-to-keep-students-looking-up?ft=1&f=137712255 A child born today will never see an American space shuttle blast off from the Kennedy Space Center. That worries some educators, who see human space flight as a great recruiter for future scientists and engineers. Don't worry, NASA says, its education mission is far from over. 251 no A child born today will never see an American space shuttle blast off from the Kennedy Space Center. That worries some educators, who see human space flight as a great recruiter for future scientists and engineers. Don't worry, NASA says, its education mission is far from over.

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]]> A New Frontier In Space Travel: The Law Several private companies are developing spacecraft that will take anyone into space who wants to go, provided they can pay for the ride. But the challenges of commercial human spaceflight are as much about laws and regulations as they are about technology. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/15/138159514/a-new-frontier-in-space-travel-the-law?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/2011/07/15/138159514/a-new-frontier-in-space-travel-the-law?ft=1&f=137712255 Several private companies are developing spacecraft that will take anyone into space who wants to go, provided they can pay for the ride. But the challenges of commercial human spaceflight are as much about laws and regulations as they are about technology. 323 no Several private companies are developing spacecraft that will take anyone into space who wants to go, provided they can pay for the ride. But the challenges of commercial human spaceflight are as much about laws and regulations as they are about technology.

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]]> The Space Shuttle Is Dead, Long Live The Space Shuttle! The space shuttle may be gone, but it's not likely to be forgotten — not if Hollywood has anything to do with it. Over the course of the last 30 years, the shuttle has shown up repeatedly on the Silver Screen. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/07/15/137857866/the-space-shuttle-is-dead-long-live-the-space-shuttle?ft=1&f=137712255 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/07/15/137857866/the-space-shuttle-is-dead-long-live-the-space-shuttle?ft=1&f=137712255 The space shuttle may be gone, but it's not likely to be forgotten — not if Hollywood has anything to do with it. Over the course of the last 30 years, the shuttle has shown up repeatedly on the Silver Screen. 151 no The space shuttle may be gone, but it's not likely to be forgotten — not if Hollywood has anything to do with it. Over the course of the last 30 years, the shuttle has shown up repeatedly on the Silver Screen.

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