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Scott Andrews / for msnbc.com
In one of 120,000 images shot during the time-lapse, NASA's space shuttle Atlantis is hoisted before being mounted with "the stack" before rollout at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
As the sun sets on NASA's spaceflight program, three talented people set out to document the preparations for shuttle Atlantis' final launch.
Armed with 15 cameras, Scott Andrews, his son Philip Andrews and Stan Jirman teamed up to shoot and seamlessly combine a whopping 120,000 still images. The finished product is condensed into a 3-minute time-lapse video that makes the four-day process of preparing the shuttle for its trek to the launch pad look like a cakewalk.
NBC News' Jay Barbree narrates a rare time-lapse video of the shuttle Atlantis being prepared for its final mission.
The time-lapse is the culmination of 40 years of collaboration. Photographer Scott Andrews, a technical consultant for Canon, has been photographing launches and landings professionally since Apollo 15 in July 1971.
Scott Andrews / for msnbc.com
The morning after rollout, NASA's space shuttle Atlantis rests on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Throughout the years he has helped hundreds of photographers from around the world and worked closely with the NASA spaceflight program. Scott said his main mission in creating the time-lapse is to pay tribute to all of the shuttle workers.
Referring to the origins of the time-lapse video, Scott said "Anybody could have done this time lapse — but nobody did."
So Scott sat down and drafted a 47-page proposal and made six trips to the Kennedy Space Center to finally get the "yes" he needed. This all hinged on the trust he had built during his tenure, split between Kennedy and Johnson space centers.
In the end, they produced a tribute to not only the shuttle workers, but also NASA and the spaceflight program as a whole.
Veteran NBC space correspondent Jay Barbree summed it up best: "When historians look back, they will write that the shuttle was a reusable ship that carried astronauts into orbit. It was an essential brick on the road to distant places beyond our planet."
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Do your sisters proud, Atlantis.
God be with you on your mission.
"One Giant Leap for Mankind".... Backwards..... thanks all you stupid greedy polititions.. now you have money for the important things... like lining your own damn pockets... and your damn wars
I coundn't have said it better Dave........................
One thing though TERM LIMITS, End Career Politicians..
Godspeed Atlantis. The hope of a nation flies with you!
There is only one earth , there is only one sun, in our solar system..... in this universe there are millions...... When will mankind unite for one thing ... explore the universe ??? I think the level of adrenaline will be equal to making enemy and war.
Umm, there's more suns & solar systems!
Sad day indeed, we shut down our only means of getting to space, and allow the Chinese and Russians to continue on allowing them to beat us. Really stupid how our politicians think.
They probably don't care.
Look folks, this is only the end of the space shuttle program, not the end of the space program. America will have a new means of getting to space within a few years, it's a sad thing to see the space shuttle program ending but it's not the end of human spaceflight for America. China is not beating us at anything in terms of space, and the Russians are our partners, so, what's good for them is good for us. And the Russians really aren't "beating" us either. They have Soyuz, but that's all. Within a year or two American companies like spaceX will begin replacing the Russians as our space taxi service. More American companies will join in and that will make accessing space cheaper for the American taxpayer. And NASA will soon have it's own capability to access space and with it they will be capable of sending human beings beyond low Earth orbit. America is still the leader in manned spaceflight. Don't be fooled by the rhetoric. China and Russia are not beating us in space.
I hope America will have enough money to pay its bills (social security, medicare, etc.) and still be able to fund space program.
" America will have a new means of getting into space in a few years"
...... wow ...... "In a few Years".. so what your saying is... we should be happy.. that we have to "wait a few years".... ..to be back.. to where we are right now... so... your point is what? that we just lost " a few years"..oh.. ok, I see your point now.
Dave, don't confuse the facts I have stated with happiness. I am not happy about this situation. I would not expect anyone to be happy about this situation. I hope no one is "happy" about this. All I'm doing is relaying the facts for the people who think this is the end of American human spaceflight. It's not the end.
And in a few years we will be back to where we were in the days of Apollo, not where we are now. Right now, with the space shuttle, we have a crew-and-cargo taxi to low Earth orbit. We currently cannot go beyond LEO. Once the SLS is finished we will be able to send human beings beyond LEO. But we have to wait for it because Bush didn't get the funding necessary to make Constellation successful. If that program had been properly funded from the get go it would have never been canceled.
Dont confuse your opinions with facts bob
I don't confuse my opinions with facts dave. if you have an argument lets hear it. If you think I've gotten my facts wrong I'd love for you to set me straight. I can, and do, admit when I'm wrong. So, please, if you're not too busy spelling peoples screen names wrong perhaps you could point out the incorrect facts or opinions stated as fact?
I don't think you see the point.. the technology for taxiing to the space ship is
under control, the space shuttle program is already too old and too expensive,
wasting money on that will delay the advancement to another dimension to explore
our universe and beyond. America will lead again like the Apollo landing on the
moon. Let have little bit a faith to our leaders, still they are the leader in
this small planet called earth. Who knows America will find another planet in
another galaxy free of any diseases within the next 25 years, nobody in this
planet will get there before AMERICA. This is our destiny, enjoy!!
Bob: Rhetoric? Just you tell us what is on-line to replace the Space Shuttle, and when. One doesn't stop Metro service while there are still passengers waiting with tickets to board.
Space X? Nothing flyable now, and nothing in two years. Our very important return to the Moon is out. The mission to Mars, gone.
Just what part of "sacked" don't you understand.
Like your president, you are full of words, but nothing tangible for the here and the now; not even a plan. Promises, promises, promises. Just sign on the dotted line, but don't ask any questions. Typical.
NASA is laying off its technicians. Could there be a reason? Yes. The U.S. Government is ready to close the doors on space exploration and development of technologies that will bring money and jobs to thousands of American families, and all to stuff the gobs of illegal aliens, bums, and lost causes.
Rhetoric.
Can you read? There is no one on this thread as of yet with the name bob.
You call Obama "your" president. Is he not your president too? Are you an American? Did I vote for him? Do you have any idea of my political views? No, you don't know my political views.
The fact of the matter, and yes it IS a fact, is that there IS a plan in place. Not promises, but a plan. If you want to keep your head in that hole in the ground and believe that there is no plan, go ahead. NASA has a plan.
SpaceX has a working rocket and capsule. It has flown. They already have a contract to carry cargo to the ISS. All that is left is to get the capsule human rated. It won't take long.
I ask the questions aliveinsd. I know the current state of the American space program. It sounds to me like you are the one not asking questions. You see layoffs and suddenly the sky is falling. NASA is retiring the space shuttle, layoffs have already happened, and are going to happen once Atlantis' mission is done. NASA is laying off several thousand people but there are still many thousands more that are keeping their jobs. But, NASA is not closing their doors. The space program is not done.
Just what part of sacked do you not understand. Sacked does not apply to what's happening at NASA. The U.S. Government is not even about to close the doors on space exploration.
Nothing is "on-line" to replace the space shuttle. When George W. Bush laid out his "vision for space exploration" in 2004, in response to the Columbia tragedy, he laid out the time line for retiring the space shuttle. Obama kept with that time line. There was always going to be a gap in NASA's ability to access space. It was by design. I'm not saying I like the idea. I'm just laying out the plan for you since you are under the impression that there is no plan.
You are Mob Barley = Bob Marley. And that means you, right? You obviously are responding, so you know that, too. You took the bait.
You are a rhetoric machine Mr. Barley. And I don't respond to rhetoric three times in a day, and in a single post.
It's night time on my side of the planet, I want my 10-hours, and this editorial didn't last even half a day on MSN. So, if they're done with it, I'm done with it. Goodnight.
After the final flight, America will have to borrow Russia's space shuttle and pay them $50 million per astronaut to send americans to the space.
Yes we know this .. And you can blame that on one person and one person only....
The so-called leader of our Great Nation ...Obama. In one statement he put it....
"Been There and Done That..." He's put us all out of work and gave the Russians
the work and the go ahead to surpass the United States of America in our Quest
for Space Travel and Technology. JFK has got to be rolling in his grave. Unbelievable !!!!!
God Bless America and God Speed to the NASA family and all who dream !!!!!!
Sarge Lowry
First of all, Russia does not have a space shuttle. They have a space capsule. There is a huge difference.
Second of all, Obama continued the plan that Bush started in his "Vision for Space Exploration" in 2004. That is when the decision was made to retire the space shuttle to free up money to begin human space exploration beyond low earth orbit. So, if you're going to rail against Obama at least get the facts straight. Many presidents have done more to harm the space program than Obama. Just sayin'.
Thirdly, The Russians are not surpassing America in space capabilities. America does have to rely on our partners at Roscosmos for a few years. We have contracts with them for seats on the Soyuz. But soon American companies will begin to takeover the taxi services and provide American's with the job of putting Americans into space.
and finally, I agree.. God Bless America and God Speed to the NASA family and all who dream. Take good care of our people Atlantis.
Very cool video, thanks for making and sharing!
"The Russians are not surpassing America in space capabilities"... yaa right... they actually have rockets that... " carry astronauts into space " and we have????? nothing... so um yaa the Russians have just surpassed the USA in space capabilities. Not only do we have to pay them a ton of money to take our astronauts into space... but we no longer have the payload carrying capacity that the shuttle had...
A very very sad day in American history is happening... we don't need to wait to go to space.. we have a working program, that could keep working until a better newer shuttle or w/e is built, instead.. we sit around on this rock and listen to people say " wait a few years ".. well I have this to say to you..
Take your car to the wrecking yard and destroy it.. yes yes.. I know it is still is getting you to work, but it's old..and the government says you cant use it anymore, From now on.. you will have to beg for a ride from someone else.. in a different city than you.. and pay him a ton of cash to do so. So enjoy your little commute.. to wherever it is your going, you can sure bet.. it's not to space.
Dave, I would love to keep the shuttles going. There is nothing wrong with them, they work just fine and would keep working fine for a long time. We could keep using them, and if I had my way we would. But the idea is to retire them so that NASA can use that money for the replacement.
So, when I take my car to the wrecking yard and have it destroyed I will be able to afford to build my next car. I will not enjoy paying the guy in the next city for rides so I've been working hard to have guys in my own city provide rides at an even cheaper rate. I will continue to buy rides from the closer guys even after I have my new car is built because my new car will be used more for long distance trips.
I'm not saying I like this plan, but it's the plan that is in place. So, when life hands you lemons you make lemonade.
Our space fleet goes to moth balls...so sad. A day of national shame. I grew up in the shuttles home town, and it hurts to read that the U.S. space program is being sacked, along with the jobs of thousands of workers. And for what?
To pay for the free ride of slackers, bums, and dilettantes. And your country shall take a back seat while other countries move into space, along with all of the jobs and technologies that could have been yours for the taking.
Perhaps, and if they learn Spanish, those laid off workers could find jobs with their local Department of Social Services.
Jonathan Wood writes in the first line of this article "As the sun sets on NASA's spaceflight program, three talented people set out to document the preparations for shuttle Atlantis' final launch."
Jonathan Wood should know better. aliveinsd you should also know what's really happening. And judging from some of the comments on this article, America needs to be better and more accurately informed of the current state of the American space program.
The Space Program is not being sacked. The space shuttle is being retired. This is being done so that NASA can use that money for the space shuttle's replacement. The space program is more than just the shuttle. The space program includes everything from satellites to Mars rovers to deep space probes and everything in between. The space program is not being sacked! Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or is misinformed. We are a few years away from again being the clear leader in human spaceflight. America will be sending human beings beyond low Earth orbit. That is something that only America has ever done and we will be back to doing so again before anyone else. What people are hearing about China's ambitions is different from the reality of China's capabilities.
It seems hard to believe that our government doesn't have the next phase planned and under construction (at least).
Maybe it's so secret because the technology is brand new? I somehow seriously doubt we will just peter out with manned launches from the U.S.
Depending on Russia might not be a very good long term plan.
And what about all those scientists and technicians who will be out of work? It's not as if they can go to the competition and ask for a job.
NASA does have the next phase planned, and it is under construction. It used to be called Constellation but that plan was underfunded and behind schedule and so was basically canceled, but it's parts are being used to create the replacement for the space shuttle. The Orion space capsule is now being called MPCV (multi purpose crew vehicle). The MPCV will ride into space on the SLS (space launch system), a shuttle derived heavy-lift launch vehicle. This system will be capable of sending human beings in the capsule beyond low Earth orbit.
Many people are losing their jobs, many people have already lost their jobs. The shuttle retirement is a big deal to all of those people involved in it. They are bright, well-educated folks and they will land on their feet. And many of the engineers and technicians are being hired on at aerospace companies around America. There are jobs for them, but it's not all wine and roses. It's a hard time for job hunters all across America and that's just the reality of our economy right now.
Depending on Russia for access to space is not a good long term plan. So that's why we are not relying on them for the long term. They are a temporary solution only. SpaceX will be the first American company to replace the Russians as NASA space taxi service. There will be other American companies to join that group that puts astronauts into space. We are not going to rely on Russia for long.
Well-said Flylowguy. You and others on this thread are proof that there are many Americans that can read (a thinking brain on their shoulders) through the rhetoric and lies. Thank you.
And just where is Orion that was to replace the shuttle? Cancelled by Emporer Obama.
Aliveinsd, Lockheed Martin started building Orion in 2005. In May 2011 Lockheed Martin used the design and tests of Orion that had already been completed and began building the Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle. A stripped down version of Orion will be used as a life boat for the ISS.
And if you want to we can get into why Obama canceled Constellation. If it were properly funded from the start Obama never would have had a chance to cancel it.
So, you are saying that Orion was cancelled. What's your point? You talk much, but say very little. The U.S. space program is sacked.
Why dont we kill some more jobs here in America
We're at Kennedy Space Center. We're soaking wet. But the thunder and lightning seem to have subsided. Read more and see some new photos at LOFTY AMBITIONS BLOG.
Do you folks at Lofty Ambitions have to pay to advertise on these articles? no? didn't think so. You have a very fine blog, I just am getting tired of your constant advertising on these space related articles.
This sucks. I always wanted to see a space shuttle liftoff but tomorrow never came. So I guess I'll have to wait for (a few) more years until we have another one...
Do you mean in person? It's a shame, I know. I've also always wanted to see a shuttle liftoff in person but I never have. I get my liftoffs live on NASA TV. It's as close as I can get. It's pretty enjoyable though.
Yes, I meant in person. :). One of the things I want to do before I die. Without sounding too geeky, I think it's a wonder of the world. No species on Earth for 4.5 billion years could launch objects into orbit. And here someone is doing it and I wasn't there in person to watch it. Duh!
I have seen the space shuttle launch videos that Alan posts on this website. It is 5-6 minutes of pure magic. There are cameras hooked to different parts of the shuttle/fuel chamber and you get a real world view of how it looks from different angles.
It is amazing. I fully agree that the space shuttles are a wonder of the world. It's a truly unique machine. You really should check out NASA TV on Friday to see the launch live and in high definition. here is the link, if you want it. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
Thanks a bunch. Just added the url to my bookmark. So Friday is the day. Appreciate it.
Yup, Friday July 8th at 11:26am Eastern standard time.
I put 28 yrs into the program, and I must say....it saddens me.
OTOH, [and IMHO] previous administrations [not present] have constantly cut the NASA budget, and at the same time, touted new ambitions that NASA simply could not complete, given their anemic funding by both sides of the aisle. The current direction was not the fault of the Obama administration, but lack of financial support from both the Liberal, AND the Republican parties. It's sad, but changes had to be made. The real failure was that this new initiative [private enterprises] should have been addressed during the first Bush administration, so that "new methods" could have been developed much earlier. Had that been the case........ when the Shuttle Program came to an end, the new program would be taking off. In that capacity, we would not be seeing this severe "brain drain", and loss of jobs...... but it is what it is.
Exactly. Well said Doug!
Man Mob, these folks are really slamming you. Ignorance is as ignorance does. First, Mob is correct.
Second, this isn't the end of NASA, due to the launch costs of the shuttles, most of the satellite launches that were to be originally done by the shuttles were reassigned to heavy lift launchers. The shuttles for the last decade were focused on completing the ISS. ISS is complete. The shuttles are and were amazing vehicles and the time has come to move on, the sad part is how badly managed the the transition was done and this falls on Congress, they fund the projects.
And thirdly, here is a list of private companies vying for the void of the retirement of the shuttles : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_private_spaceflight_companies.
If we want to get to Mars, NASA needs the funds and focus to concentrate on the engineering. There is so much more to it than throwing a rocket system together and launching it to a destination. When it comes to human spaceflight there is a zero tolerence for failures. How many of you genuises have developed something, put it in the harshest environment found and can say that you no one will die in the process? Can you write millions and millions lines of code and have less than one error per million lines of code? No? Well that is what was required for the shuttle and they were successful. Some of the hurdles : radiation protection, the astronauts will need protection from the solar wind and coronal mass ejections. Apollo didn't have this, they were lucky. Travel time to the Moon was 3 days, Mars could be a month to 6 months travel time depending on the rockets used. Next, the rockets. To date, the most economical launch vehicle are chemical launchers, but in space, there are some new alternatives. VASMIR and other similiar electric ion propulsions are looking more promising but the issue here is electrical energy. Next, powering the ship. Batteries? Too much weight. Solar arrays? Useful but not very efficient for this type traveling. Nuclear reactors? A lot of energy but safety is a huge issue. Solution to radiation protection above could help. Next, crew health. While in transit if someone becomes ill or is injured, there is no turning back. Medical care will have to be provided in zero g environment most likely. How would you repair a ruptured spleen in zero g? How would you contain the blood the in zero g? These are just a few examples of what has to be resolved and I can tell you that no other country has figured these things out yet either. The Russians are using 40 year old technology and have never sent humans beyond Earth orbit, the Chinese are about equivalent to the Gemini missions and these are the other two of the three big players. No other country has ever sent humans out of Earth orbit except the US and no one else is even close to doing that yet and they are not going to get there in the next 5 to 10 years. So how are so far behind?
I really hope someday, Obamas only hope is to venture to the "ISS"....................................................................... Sorry sir, you "CUT THE PROGRAM" and we just heard from the Russians, well I say we did, we're still on hold..!
Why do people get so hung up on Obama?
Once this shuttle lands, the United States will have lost the space race, thanks to short sighted people that can't see beyond the check book. Thanks a lot.
This where we fail.
This is where we fail because we place the lesser before the greater. This is where we fail because we are shortsighted and ignore the long term in favor of the short term. This where we fail because we are devolving, ebbing, receding and surrendering. This is where we fail because we chose to fail by shipping our industrial plant to China, by embracing globalism, by choosing the politically correct over the obviously right.
This where we fail because 235 years after it all began, we have been talked into the idea that America was a bad concept. This is where we fail because we place those horribly misconceived political views before our devotion to our own country.
This where we fail because now, when we most need leadership, we get none. This where we fail when the bean counters can't take into account value beyond the dollar sign.
And finally, this is where we fail because we can be convinced that this is not failure.
What an amazing tribute to a bunch of amazing vehicles...orbiters (aka shuttles)
This is not the end of NASA, only the end of the shuttle program, otherwise we can't move on. The space program is responsible for much of today's technology, ie: microwaves, GPS .... now space taxi's ... this will now open doors to other awesome findings which are in the works ... budgets could delay or postpone but will never be the end of NASA.
It seems to me that we have far overplayed the "men in space" scenario (among other political scenarios) and it has cost us in treasure and a few astronauts. I wanted to be an astronaut. I supported the program's goal of landing on the moon. I supported the space station. But I think we pursued the wrong means to space exploration after those accomplishments. Perhaps man can land on Mars in the next 50 years but for what purpose I'm not sure. And what comes after that? It is impossible to foresee any purpose in attempting to land on Saturn or Jupiter or Venus or Neptune or any planet in our solar system. It will be another thousand or even ten thousand years before humanity will ever reach another solar system much less land humans on one. How would that pursuit help our grandchildren or the next 5 generations? Instead of manned exploration we should be pursuing unmanned space exploration and, in that effort, develop the technologies for manned exploration centuries from now. That is a no-brainer.
Realistically, governments do not operate this way. They create bureaucracies that never end but expand continuously until they drain us of all motivation, private wealth, and original purpose. That is the way of every government program from science to social welfare. Governance is corrupt and badly managed everywhere.
Cut the bs about future expenditures, WE ARE BROKE. Why would china fund a venture like this without owning it?
MB,
Obviously, you do not have a clue to what made the United States one of the greatest countries in the world. It's very easy for someone of your "Vast Intelligence" to blow off everything that made the US great. Let us not forget the TENS of thousands of our hardworking Americans that led the way and shed blood for this country. Don't think you have a clue about. Never does Obama as well. With one little gesture from your mentor, he has wiped out all of that. And your speech to me about the other Presidents have done more damage to the Space agency????? They have made this agency the most envious of all agencies in this world. I have served this country for many years, I have had the privilege of meeting many different people around the world that can only dream of what we have achieved. We have always be proactive on everything that we do..... until now. We have a socialist in power with NO DREAMS AND NO VISION FOR THE FUTURE. AND ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT FOR WHAT OUR COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON. So M.B you can just sit back and be proud of your president and the legacy he will leave behind when he is done. He has put this nation to shame. One thing you so conveniently forget is that he has put thousands of Americans out of work with these moves. And he has put a lot of Russians back to work. But oh well, I guess that is the "Lemonade" you were quoting earlier. You can say that on this board, don't ever try to PREACH that crap in public. You will not like the reaction you get.
PS...
Quit trying to re-quote what I said earlier"God Bless America and God Speed to the NASA family and all who dream." What a hypocrite. Coming out off your mouth makes it sound dirty. You have no clue about this great nation. We will get past his mistakes. We will be a Great Nation AGAIN. AND IT WILL NOT BE DONE BY ALLOWING WHAT WE HAVE WORKED FOR TO BE DISCARDED BY ONE MAN WITHOUT DREAMS FOR THIS NATION AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE IT GREAT. I can say this you will never be one of the people. Your triumphant moments are just sitting back and watching peoples reactions to your rhetoric. Have fun at being a follower..... You are good at that.
Sarge - Bush Jr. was the one who initiated the closure of the Space Shuttle program, so your rant over Obama has no basis with regards to the Space Shuttle. Obama did redirect the mission to the Moon then Mars that is now a mission to an asteroid then to Mars. The truth is that a transition plan should have been in place late in the Clinton presidency and soon into the Bush presidency. They did the same thing with the Apollo missions. There was at least 3 or 4 planned missions to the Moon that were scrapped so that the focus could shift to building the Space Shuttle.
Your condemnation of our president as a socialist shows your own ignorance because it was another democratic president, who probably had more socialistic views than Obama, who started the space race to the Moon, President Kennedy. And it was President Nixon, a Republican, that axed the Apollo missions.
Your personal vendetta against Obama is not a topic for this thread and would be much appreciated to find another thread to discuss your apparent hatred for the current President.
The additional personal attack of a commentor on this vine is repugnant and vile. This atitude is not appreciated and has been reported. When you grow up and learn to make intelligent comments about the ending of a tremendous career of the shuttles, the astronauts and the people of the program, then maybe someone will listen to your remarks.