Space shuttle flights

[msterzer]

Can anyone tell me what STS stands for? Used in flight numbers, such as, STS 109 or STS 108. Its probably something everybody but me knows.

[desmocat]

It is an acronym for Space Transportation System (STS). you are correct in that each flight of the shuttle has this in the flight number.
I was at the Johnson Space center in Houston a couple of years back, and while touring mission control, you can see a plaque that bears the mission number of each spaceflight. Each crew has a hand in the design of their plaque to commemorate their particular spaceflight.
It was surprising to me how small mission control actually is.
By the hollywood standard, you think it is a HUGE room with people running everywhere, but in reality, it is like a very small theatre, like maybe 50 feet wide or so, with several VERY large computer screens at the front of the room mounted up high.
They run training simulations all the time when there isn't an active mission up. It's a cool place to visit, if you ever get to Houston and have a free afternoon, i highly recommend it.

[the jester]

they ever do quake on those huge computer screens?

[desmocat]

I would like to be able to sneak in ther about 2:30 in the A.M and find out.
I KNOW they got the horsepower to run some kick a$$ graphics..hee hee

[the jester]

be kind of cool if they did a lunar map and then run the "get the flag" game - NASA vs the cosmonauts (forgot the name of the former soviet space agency)

[msterzer]

Hey, desmocat

Thanks for the info. Its been bugging me off and on for quite awhile. Couldn't find what it meant to save me. I knew someone in TechIMO could come up with the answer. Johnson Space Center sounds like something I would really like to see. If you are ever near Seattle, the Boeing Museum is worth a visit. A real SR 71 sitting there for you to check out. Its more than just Boeing. A lot of beautifully restored aircraft. There was a real Lunar rover and a space module from Mercury days. It takes a good day to check it out. Thanks again.
Mike

[RADAR1797]

All,

May STS-51L live in all of our hearts. This mission was flown by the valiant souls of the Challenger 7. I know every January 28th I say I prayer for these adventurous and brave souls, please join me in remembering their sacrifices.

-RADAR


http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/miss...sion-51-l.html

[msterzer]

AH, Golden Earring, a little Radar Love. I'm with ya buddy.

[Warthog]

Speaking of space shuttles, I read that a fully fueled shuttle, if it exploded would be the equivalent of a small nuke.

Wart

[griobhta]

that a fully fueled shuttle, if it exploded would be the equivalent of a small nuke.

Wart can't have been much fuel spent when the challenger went up. Remember that day was nine when it happened and was an avid space nut. Remember the day in 98 when the flights resumed.


What I find sad about the whole shuttle bussiness is that the russians built an incredible shuttle that only flew once, unmanned a feat that the the US one could never do. And they had to sell it off for a pittance because they were broke. If they weren't in such a mess it would have been great to have another shuttle to help out with the International Space Station.

Griobhta

edit fixing that memory