HiMile14
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Posts: 424
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posted February 06, 2010 03:39 PM
A Historical Moment (Sad)
Hello All,
Sunday this time I hope to be able to post the last Night launch of the Space Shuttle. Words cannot describe the impact the Space Shuttle has had on my life and the deep sadness I feel knowing the end is near and that there is no future plans (at this time) for US manned space flights.
I do understand that the US needs to pull in the spending strings however ending the man space flights just seems to be a step back. We can cut back and keep the shuttles flying until the next generation of space travel is built. We have a vested interest in the space station just no way to get there, well to me that makes no sense. Even if we only fly the shuttle once maybe twice a year until the next gen is completed will allow the US to maintain the Space station without fear of Russia having a political card to play, doesn't this just seem to be in the best interest of United States??
On Sunday April 12,1981 I was on the shore of the Banana River having no idea of the Historic Moment I was about to witness. My Mother and Father were having problems and Mom needed to get away so we drove to Cocoa Beach for the night out sleep over. We Parked along the Beeline expressway near the toll Booth (Gone now). The Shuttle is easy to spot at night it's lit up like a Christmas Tree (that can be seen for miles). If my memory is correct the Launch time was set for 6:50 am but was moved up to 7:00 am. In 1981 Daylight Savings time started the last week of April so the sun was up well before launch time. When Columbia was launched I was worried, I cannot imagine how Launch Control felt yet alone Young and Crippen. I'd seen the Apollo before and that Rocket was Slow when compared with the shuttle. The most impressive part of the launch was the sound. I have never heard anything that loud hell the water in the Banana River was shaking. Quite the life moment.
Mom Passed away on January 15,1986. I wanted to make it a point to get out to the Cape to watch the next Shuttle lift off and replay in my mind the Life Moment we shared in 1981. Thankfully, I had to work on that very Cold January morning and I watched the launch from work. In a way this tragic event helped me work through my loss, I guess we were all grieving together.
Sorry for the non bike topic, but I will try to include a couple of pics of my bike tonight, thanks for allowing me to vent.
Rob
02 VFR 120,585 miles (almost rebuilt)
07 VFR 47,190 miles
07 VFR 7,674 miles
  
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14nooby
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posted February 06, 2010 04:00 PM
I am a native Floridian and have grown used to the space shuttle. I also live in Brevard County and my biggest worry is for the city of Titusville. What is that place going to do when they start whacking jobs? I have many memories of the space shuttle. I remember watching the Challenger explode from the school playground back in 1984. I was at the drag strip in Gainsville when Columbia blew up entering the atmosphere. I too will find it very disappointing when Obama shuts down NASA. So much for creating jobs.
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HiMile14
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posted February 06, 2010 04:20 PM
Amazing the life moments NASA has created for us. Like our favorite Baseball Basketball or Football team without a opposing team. The discoveries are so numerous (air-bag, medical & computer discoveries).
I am also worried for the entire Central Florida East coast, difficult times are ahead for these folks. I don't think that has sank in with the people yet.
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted February 06, 2010 05:58 PM
I'll be 50 soon enough. My income has been cut in half and was on food stamps for the first time in my life in 09 (while holding 3 jobs) Both my parents have been gone for 25 yrs now and I feel for you there. However, America should sell off her toys like the rest of us have to or we'll be looking for life on our own country soon enough. Ma and Pa gas stations are boarded up in Smallville USA everywhere. Our country needs to live within their means. If I had disposable cash...I'd buy a turbo AND have it installed. My oldest son is nearly 30, is a hard worker and has babies to feed. He's behind in rent and I cant help him. We own the largest oil fields on planet earth in North Dakota for the cost of $16ish a barrel and yet we buy from the middle east? I can waive goodbye to NASA reluctantly.
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gilberjj
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posted February 06, 2010 06:00 PM
Nasa is cool, but providing for America is cooler.
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HiMile14
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posted February 07, 2010 04:59 AM
Well just got home, kinda disappointed she did not go but that's life. There were a lot of people there, I spent 2 hrs getting home. Let me think about your comments for a while, I believe I can bridge the opinions.
Rob
07 VFR 47,266 miles
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eklipse636
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posted February 07, 2010 05:12 AM
Am I the only dummy that dosent know what's going on? And before it's ask'd I haven't watched the news lately...
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14nooby
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posted February 07, 2010 05:24 AM
Wrong forum Dusty but COCKHEAD Obama stopped the shutlle program and any future space programs. All of the major players in the world have space travel capabilities except us. If American jobs are so important why is he cutting 5,000 jobs in Florida? Thats the only reason his dumbass approved that STUPID F ing cummuter train in Florida because he feels guilty. Who in the hell is going to use the dumb 20 billion dollar train?????? Now all the bums that use government transportation will have a fast train to take them from Orlando to Tampa? Dump that train project and fund the space program. Also with all of the Florida jobs getting cut what about Houston? How many jobs are getting cut there? They probably got a train too. NO SPACE PROGRAM? OBAMAS is destroying everything this country stands for. Lets spend our tax dollars on some bogus counter terrorism war in some third world country..........I don't even really dislike Obama but this decision about NASA has absolutley made me dislike him.............I AM DONE SORRY GUYS
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oldkawboy
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posted February 07, 2010 06:02 AM
It may be the wrong forum but it's a great post and topic Rob. Things are kinda slow right now on the boards with winter upon us so I welcome the subject.
I too have always been a space fan, always enjoying everything about it going back to the early sixties so it bothers me what's happening with the cuts.
I took this shot after Bike Week ( see it has something to do with motorcycles ) in '08. We had seen a day launch a year earlier and it sure was worth being out there at 2:30am to witness this night lift-off............just incredible.
Dan
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Hellmutt
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posted February 07, 2010 10:01 AM
Sad indeed. I was in Florida visiting my father back when Challenger was on the pad -- we went to JFK day before lift-off and I got some really decent shots of her from the shuttle bus window with an old Kodak 110, amazingly enough they didn't turn out too bad. I'll Truly miss the shuttle series craft, but like the old Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo rockets -- technology will once again change with the times and we'll have yet another type of space craft to drool over and envy a whole new slew of lucky cosmonauts.
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HiMile14
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posted February 07, 2010 10:51 AM
To those looking for a bike related story my intentions were to show the bike before the launch and then during try to amaze you with the light show provided by man. It truly is amazing.
OFF BIKE TOPIC
I like to think of myself as a budget hawk, from a purely financial point of view I agree that we need to cut spending in all areas. The key to setting this economy right is giving the people opportunities and let them grow us out of this debt. Remember I said we have to cut spending, provided we can grow and cut at the same time only then will we will begin to see serious economic improvement. I am just starting on a campaign that could explain better of what I mean. As soon as I get the web site completed I'll link to it.
He-he I can hardly work this web site, I hope you don't expect much.
Stay tuned
Rob
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68gts2
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posted February 08, 2010 10:50 AM
eklipse you were not the only one who had not heard the news. I hate to hear the news. I have always likes the space stuff as well. That picture kawi boy posted is awsome. Well worth staying up for.
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68gts2
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posted February 08, 2010 10:53 AM
eklipse you were not the only one who had not heard the news. I hate to hear the news. I have always likes the space stuff as well. That picture kawaboy posted is awsome. Well worth staying up for.
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SteveWFL
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posted February 08, 2010 11:08 AM
I rode the C14 over to Titusville yesterday for a business meeting at Brevard college this morning. And watched the launch from hotel parking lot wow it was great. Ok thats bike related. Back in Tampa now 
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Obba
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posted February 08, 2010 01:21 PM
Don't forget that NASA does a lot more than the STS,
I think comments of "...Obama closing down NASA...", aren't really helpful when the rest of the States is still in need of looking forward to a recovery. You guys need all the morale you can get at the mo.
NASA is never going to be closed down - not in my life time anyway 
Sure jobs will go, but life moves on, and jobs will come back.
The USA is going to have a tough time with competing against Russia, ESA and soon to be China (in 5 years).
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SteveWFL
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posted February 08, 2010 02:03 PM
Obama is going to fix everything.
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zx-14lvr
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posted February 08, 2010 04:36 PM
quote:
I am a native Floridian and have grown used to the space shuttle. I also live in Brevard County and my biggest worry is for the city of Titusville. What is that place going to do when they start whacking jobs? I have many memories of the space shuttle. I remember watching the Challenger explode from the school playground back in 1984. I was at the drag strip in Gainsville when Columbia blew up entering the atmosphere. I too will find it very disappointing when Obama shuts down NASA. So much for creating jobs.
i live in titusville now and let me tell you....this place is going to fall on its face after that program out there is gone, my step dad and sister are loosing their jobs at the end of the year.
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davej
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posted February 08, 2010 04:59 PM
The Aries program was a smart step towards launching payloads into space, The Shuttle wasn't the best choice for bang for the buck. Kinda like sending up a locomotive to deliver a bushel of apples then bring back the loco for more payload. If it's cheaper to pay the Russians to deliver our payloads instead of going back to a Saturn type rocket system is beyond my comprehension. Politics, the new XXXX bull.
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knydecker
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posted February 08, 2010 06:32 PM
Today is suppose to also be the day that we are actually getting less comming in for SSI than what we pay out. I hope Obama will come up with more ways to raise the deficit! We need more programs! We certainly dont need a third party that is entrenched in status quote and would help bring things back to reallity. SPEND, SPEND, SPEND!!!
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This was dictated... but not read!
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BobC
Pro
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posted February 09, 2010 05:21 AM
The spin-off's from space technology have changed all our lives and It's impossible to put a value on this. A sad day indeed.
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2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
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LOCK 2121
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posted February 09, 2010 07:00 AM
When i was a kid their was no epoxy , for model airplane's, then one day we had it ,along with alot of technology that's been comeing ,from the space program , getting up at 5 am when 9 year's old to watch lift off's ! Their at one time the United States had stuff you could be proud of !
Still have some power supply part's used by the Apollo, program , you should see the way they were built !! impressive, for the time's those gold washed geranaum power transister's they used were perty speical !
What a loss !!
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HiMile14
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posted February 09, 2010 03:43 PM
Great comments all, My Thanks to you all
Rob
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted February 12, 2010 11:41 PM
Wow this is news to me! I guess it's up to the russians now to take over where Regan left off . Let the star wars begin!
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*Lee*
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bigdtd
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posted February 13, 2010 11:18 AM
I cannot believe the United States of America is going to out source our ability to put men in space. The breakthroughs we have gotten from our space programs are astounding. Now our government doesn't care? This is not my government. If you voted for these folks this is what you got. Backing off our status quo in space is unacceptable. Where is the leadership? We have always lead the way in space and should continue to do so. Go U.S.A.!
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INTIMIDA2OR
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posted February 13, 2010 04:29 PM
+1!
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