http://www.laboiteverte.fr/adieu-navette-spatiale/

Just a few favorites from the larger collection above:

Amazing and bitter sweet. Even in the age of microchips and medical science, it's hard not to marvel at the engineering of the space program between the 50's-80's. I'll give up something to keep that exploration alive.

Get's me thinking, too bad that there isn't a "tax dollar menu" when we vote that allows each individual to select where their tax dollars go.

Off topic in one reply!!

Always beautiful pictures!

Biggest mistake made was cancelling the Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar program. But that is the nature of the space program - no long range programs because of no stable funding. Politics at its best!

Lets see how the private sector makes out.

Of course the only way we are going to really make space practical is to move forward with a space elevator. That is not going to happen anytime soon!

I understand that the Air Force has been secretly flying a two-man spaceplane similar to the X-37. If true, then at least we still have manned access to space.