• more about #endeavour more comments →
    frigg: Interesting that despite the space shuttle's tendency to fly into space, its biggest safety threats have always occurred at the Earth’s surface (wea... more »
    LessthanZach: The thumbnail on the homepage made this look like a photoshop mock up. Looking at it now, all I can say is "Holy sh**". That is some "ferocious" ligh... more »
    Azteck: What happens to the balls that NASA once had. Cant believe that they are delaying the launch due to some small thunder clouds in the area. more »
    bosskev: Lightning is bad, but I'd be much more concerned by all those gigantic otherworldly amoebas poised to attack. more »
    Dr. H. F. Danger: I don't like you because you're dangerous. That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous. more »
    aerospaceman: I think, and this is a purely intellectual exercise since the Shuttle will be soon gone, that it would be cheaper to send a deorbiting module on an ex... more »
    No_7: So is that like a dutch rudder? more »
    ghmlco: Why not at least park it next to the space station? Seems like there'd be enough pieces and parts they could use over time, like detaching the shuttle... more »
    daqman: Why ditch the dodgy shuttle? They could try to land it via remote control. If it breaks up WTF but if they land it you've still got a shuttle. more »
    Gareth Eynon: Couldn't they just "park it" in orbit and wait until another mission is launched (for another reason) with a repair in-hand. Seems like a waste of $Bn... more »
    twilight-arc: It makes me think of the Buran on top of the Antonov: [en.wikivisual.com] except in this case it just shows us how huge the AN-225 is. more »
    Iron Sheep: Pure awesomeness. Now if only the shuttle could launch off the back of the carrier. Or provide an extra boost and get the whole rig into space. more »
    N@tedog: I want a window seat! more »
    gdigital: Cost to transport the Shuttle from Edwards to Canaveral, 1.7 Million Dollars. Ouch more »
    CT7: It's pretty amazing figuring the average weight of 416 passengers at 178 pounds plus, lets say 40 pounds each for luggage equals around 91,000 pounds ... more »
  • #imagecache

    Space Shuttle Endeavour Delayed By Ferocious Lightning

    The little thing at the bottom of this image is the space shuttle Endeavour, which was supposed to launch today. That huge glowing thing is a lightning striking from the sky. Not surprisingly, the launch has been delayed: More »
  • #nasa

    NASA Preps For The Worst With Dramatic Hollywood-Style Shuttle Rescue Mission

    If the rare event that something goes wrong on a space shuttle mission, NASA is ready with a rescue plan that would undoubtedly make many Hollywood directors and tough boy actors piss their pants. More »
  • #airplanes

    Stunning Zenithal Shot of Space Shuttle Flying On Top of 747

    Seeing the space shuttle flying on top of its modified 747 carrier is rare. This image of Endeavour riding it over the Mojave a few days ago, however, is absolutely awesome. Updated with 1600px-wide version.
  • #nasa

    Historic Photo Shows Atlantis and Endeavour Together for the Last Time

    How's this for a truly awesome photo? Shown in the foreground is Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad A. The shuttle in the background is Endeavour, on Launch Pad B. Currently, both shuttles are locked and loaded for launch, should something go wrong up in space with the October 11 Atlantis mission. As Tom explains over at his Astronomy Blog, having two shuttles on the pad at the same time is rare, but it is not a cause for concern. More »
  • #nasa

    iPod Pictured Onboard Space Shuttle Endeavour

    A TUAW reader has managed to spot an iPod onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is currently floating around in a giant vacuum. The hawk-eyed reader spotted the iPod from official NASA photos, which showed the device, barely visible, through a cabin window. Interestingly, iPods cannot be taken into space willy-nilly. In fact, the usual lithium battery must be replaced with specially designed alkaline alternatives to ensure safety standards are met. That seems like a lot of planning to us, which is part of the reason we won't be leaving planet Earth anytime soon. Another equally valid reason is because we are not qualified astronauts. If you are having difficulty recovering from the shock of this new information, please sit down and drink some water. Jump for a zoomed out shot of the space shuttle, which indicates the founder was either very bored or has awesome Superman-like eyesight. You decide. More »