Looking Back As Shuttle Discovery Readies Her Last Flight

(4 videos)

 As Space Shuttle Discovery prepares for her final launch into space on this coming Thursday February 24th (STS-133), this is a great time to take a video look back at some of her travels. These videos are all from STS-121 that launched very patriotically on July 4, 2006. The first video of the launch has a nice collection of camera views and it gives a really good feel for the massive sound the Shuttle generates at liftoff.

 The video below is the same launch, but viewed from inside the cockpit of the Orbiter. It begines a few minutes before launch, with main engine start right at the 3 minute mark. It's really interesting to see the crew during the launch sequence... and the initial bumpy ride that sitting on top of nearly 7 million pounds of thrust provides! 

 

 The next video is is a cool view of the Shuttle performing the backflip maneuver that is done to allow the ISS crew to inspect the tiles on the Shuttle using a couple of cameras. It's amazing to watch as the earth passes by underneath.

 And the last video below is a long version of the landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida bringing STS-121 to a conclusion. It includes quite a bit of a view out the windshield while still above the clouds. And of course, the actual touchdown is always an awesome sight to see.

 Thank you Discovery for your service... and we look forward to one last, awesome mission into space.