Matt Sedensky of the AP says that the end of the Shuttle program could cost 8,000 jobs, almost all in the private sector:
More than 8,000 NASA contractor jobs in the nation’s manned space program could be eliminated after the space shuttle program is shut down in 2010, the agency said today.
The number of civil servants [...]

With Fear and Wonder in Its Wake, Sputnik Lifted Us Into the Future:
Fifty years ago, before most people living today were born, the beep-beep-beep of Sputnik was heard round the world. It was the sound of wonder and foreboding. Nothing would ever be quite the same again — in geopolitics, in science and technology, in [...]

The shuttle Endeavour is on the pad, fueled up, crew loaded, and counting down toward a 5:26 PM CDT launch. Weather looks favorable so far. I’m all jazzed up to see a beautiful launch.
Update: She launched and looks beautiful.

From NASA PAO:
Space shuttle Atlantis ended its STS-117 mission today by landing safely at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The first gear (rear wheels) touchdown was at 3:49:38 p.m. EDT
Nose gear was at 3:49:49 p.m.
Wheel stop was at 3:50:48 p.m. for a total mission time of 13 days, 20 hours, 12 minutes and 44 seconds

The post [...]

Atlantis just launched from KSC. SRBs have separated and everything looks beautiful!
Update: They just made the “Press to ATO” call, meaning that Atlantis can still reach orbit if an engine fails. (ATO is Abort to Orbit, the only abort scenario a shuttle has ever used… or so I’m told.)
Update: Atlantis just reached MECO (Main Engine [...]

From a photographer in the UK:

What a weekend… lots to write about, when I get time.

STS-116 just got off the pad in a spectacular night launch. The vehicle appears to be performing beautifully. Looks like another safe, successful launch.

I’ve always loved my job at United Space Alliance. I get to work with great people, I get to work with new technology, and I get to write cool computer software. I’ve written flight computer emulator code for Shuttle simulators, I’ve written programs that handle telemetry in Mission Control, but I never thought I’d get [...]

I was just reading an Associated Press article at the Houston Chronicle about the one-day postponement of the launch of STS-115 due to a lightning strike at the launch pad. In the article, I saw this line:
Engineers wanted time to pour over data on ground and flight systems.
They want to “pour over” the data? What [...]

They started the de-orbit engine burn about a minute ago, with two minutes remaining. What lies ahead is one of the most hazardous parts of the journey, but the inspections say Discovery is on good shape, so I’m sure she’ll bring her crew safely to Florida.
Update: A perfect do-orbit burn has completed. There is no [...]

Today’s launch window for STS-121 and Space Shuttle Discovery is from 1:32 PM to 1:42 PM CDT.
The launch attempt today was nearly canceled when a crack was found in the External Tank’s (ET) insulating foam. The crack is only five inches long by an eighth of an inch deep, but these days we take nothing [...]

After yesterday’s scrub, the mission management team decided to stand down for 48 hours. They will try again tomorrow.