Shuttle landing makes me teary

Happycat--

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to know they're safe.

I get the same way Happycat. Do you remember where you were when the Challenger blew up? I bet it is etched in everyones mind who saw it or heard it at the time.

Yep, I was in my office at work listening to the radio.

same here...I was walking by the breakroom when a work mate called me in and told me to watch what just happened...chilling, unreal.

Endeavor lands safely

It's amazing to see that giant glider come in with such accuracy.

I've always wanted to see the shuttle take off or land but have never been in FL at the correct time. I also get teary eyed when I see it. This time was no different. It's so wonderful to see a safe return home. I was actually just at Cape Canaveral and saw it on the launch pad getting ready for this mission. Absolutely amazing!

Challenger took up much of my imagination and fascination when I was a kid. My father put a poster of Challenger taking off up in our bathroom. Not sure why or where he even got it (in 1986 that was not a common article in a communist country), but i would just stare and stare and think about what happened, how, and why. It made huge news even there. I don't remember the official propaganda from the government, just that the people were genuinely moved by the tragedy.
It is a big, emotional deal when a space shuttle lands. It's still one small step for a man, a giant leap for a mankind. It's like we 'all' made it. Or they made it on our behalf.

Isn't this vehicle supposed to be obsolete soon, and won't be replaced for a number of years? During this hiatus, I heard on NPR radio that the U.S. astronauts will be going on the Russian space vehicle. And then within the next two decades the U.S. and Russia will have a joint manned space station on the moon. That ought to give us interesting news. I'd guess that late night tv will have much fodder for jokes then.

Foofie, I applaud te international effort. I hope it pans out.


Happycat - I get teary almost any time I view anything extra-terran (coined a new term!). I got misty when I viewed this triptich at sciam.com:



Why? I see a ultraviolet image of a star nursery cosmic cloud and get misty. I see an infrared image of a distant galaxy and the same happens. I am at a loss as to explain why. But, I can speculate (hope, exploration, pride in our intelligence). I know that the leaders of our nation and others have used this type of exploration as a tool for rallying the populous. I guess it happens to many of us humans. I believe that is why we need to keep it up. It feeds us.

Littlek--

You're capable of appreciating glimpses of infinity--in proportion.

Ah, that sounds lovely, thank you.