Atlantis is the 135th and final space shuttle launch for NASA and millions of people watched the launch live on nasa.gov. The mission caps off a 30-year-old program of space exploration.

In case you missed the launch, you can watch the video (and many others) in NASA video gallery.

“With the retired Shuttle Program, America’s legacy as the unrivaled world leader in space exploration enters a new and uncertain era,” House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairman Steven Palazzo said in statement today. “NASA faces many new challenges to sustain America’s leadership in space, especially during this difficult budgetary time.”

What do you think…will America’s space dominance end? And if so, does it matter?

Post from: EveryJoe

Lance Berkman’s jersey recently returned from a journey that went farther than say… one of Josh Hamiltons’ home runs at Yankee Stadium. Astronauts Dominic Gorie and Mike Foreman took a Berkman jersey on a 14-day mission to space. The astronauts took the jersey out and wore it while performing some head-first slides. Both Gorie and Foreman also sent Berkman a photo of his jersey from space.

The two men returned to Houston and took batting practice prior to Tuesday’s game. In addition to a little BP, the two astronauts received a few tips from Astros players and hitting instructors.

The Astros and NASA have had a pretty close relationship since their inception. Earlier this season, the ‘Stros wore patches on their jersey that commemorated NASA’s 50th anniversary.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe