STS-133 The Final Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery including T-5 hold

This video includes clips starting at L-28 minutes showing the computer problems, additional T-5 hold added to the count, Go/No-Go statuses and ascent information for OV-103 or Space Shuttle Discovery. Launch was on Feb 24th, 2011 and this is the last time Space Shuttle Discovery will ever fly.

[@kendrickmackay1051]

It was this launch, on a February afternoon in 2011, that I watched with my mother on a CRT in our living room as an 8th grader. I had just retuned home from school in our rural upstate town. As the boosters lit, and the Shuttle cleared the tower, I remember almost whispering the words, "I want to be an astronaut." My mother said something to the effect of "that's a long, hard road," and I replied "I don't care." Over the following weeks, months, and years, I read every book in the school's tiny library on spaceflight. I skipped out on art classes to study engineering and draftsmanship. I developed a strong affinity for CAD, something that would blossom and grow for my entire adult life. I was introduced to and exploited the art of 3D printing. And I found, deeper and deeper within me, a love of human spaceflight. Here I am over a decade later. I did not join the air force like I wanted to. I did not obtain a degree in aerospace engineering like I wanted to. I am not an astronaut. And yet, I do engineering work on (as of writing) America's only flying space capsule. Every day, I contribute hardware towards multiple missions. I have built, with my own two hand, hardware that has flown to space and protected the crew inside on their descent. I have had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with the people whose very lives were in my hands. I have designed parts that have survived rigorous quality control processes, and the idea that I had will now fly to orbit as well. No, I am not an astronaut. But it seems, in my own way, a part of me has flown to space. I have Discovery to thank for that. A vehicle that has, without a doubt, played a role in my discovery of who I was meant to be.

[@Spacelux007]

When an overlocked space shuttle to turn around moon and even land on it ? They should finance this from beginning, no? I thought about when I saw first launches, discovered Saturn at home family and saw first 'Alien' movie...What is better than this shuttle today sincerly? I don't see. Even Artemis program is under for my point of view...We are not making vintage projects in space!

[@clqudy4750]

When I was an eighth grader, I watched the Challenger launch live. As an avid space enthusiast with a determination to work in the space industry, my dreams were shattered when I saw it explode live that morning. No one else there knew what happened, but I did. I went home and burned my shuttle models and cried while I did it. Fast forward to 2024 and I happily enjoy living near Cape Canaveral watching all the launches in 4K live. Also just went and visited Atlantis at the Space Center couple weeks ago. Hard to fathom all that's changed in just the last 10 years. I saw this last launch of Discovery live at a park across the river. With my new wife and 1 year old. Wife is now the Ex and child is about to be 15 this year 😮😳😭

[@coryc5768]

"Go at throttle up" Even today, I still get chills when I hear that.

[@Saio89]

Dude I straight up cry watching this EVERY TIME

[@cosmopolitan4598]

Yep, Challenger :(

[@cosmopolitan4598]

And in Contact, 1997 movie. I heard something like "Obviously a major malfunction" in the opening.

[@Anopheles7777]

I was in 5th grade when I heard those words that day we're talking about. I'm about to turn 46, and I literally can still taste what I had for lunch that day and exactly what the sky looked like that day.....

[@lintonmcdonaldjr.7884]

Thought it was just me! I just get an overwhelming feeling of pride at what we've accomplished as a nation.

[@HoennMaster]

Nothing against Atlantis or Endeavour, and not trying to diminish the careers of any of the Space Shuttles, but I really wish Discovery had been the final shuttle to fly. She was the shuttle with the most missions, the Return to Flight shuttle after both Challenger and Columbia disasters and she was the one that flew Hubble into space. She was the personification of the Space Shuttle program to me.

[@ozbolli]

The words “discovery now making one last reach for the stars” are truly amazing. Sends shivers down my spine

[@johncreedon1833]

As an airline pilot, watching this, is hard to fathom. The rate of acceleration and altitude gain is beyond insane.

[@xphantomx1562]

Imagine if space x use their falcon 9 rockets and parachutes for makin a full reusable STS

[@fretshot]

@@xphantomx1562 Yes, the only disadvantage I see is that the space shuttle does not have an ejection system in case of failure. Challenger and Columbia are good examples

[@vicnis625]

John Creedon oh you think

[@gregsmith1070]

Agree...its bonkers

[@cremebrulee2484]

@@fretshot im pretty sure if anything goes wrong in re-entry aborting doesnt work on any craft

[@fitton27]

Always get the chills at 30 seconds 'auto sequence start' when the shuttle basically gets handed over from the launch pad systems under its own power. Powerful stuff.

[@user-vr8mw8yv4j]

JAPAN　人間が宇宙に行くだけなのにこれだけの労力を必要とされるのは、宇宙がまだまだ未知の世界であることに感動しました。頑張れ、NASA！

[@ScreamAndFly]

No matter how many times I've seen shuttle launches, it never fails to impress me.

[@venkatarr]

11:09 "A tribute to the dedication hard work and pride of american space shuttle team" truly Americans deserve this for their work and pride. Congrats from India💐💐💐💐💐

[@baddinosaur1548]

I was working back at the master console area that day (Was an LPS test conductor). Greatest job of my life.

[@ThomasJr]

Stanley Kubrick really is a very talented director, uh you guys? And the sheep follow blindly thinking "omg, how amazing these men of science is". The thing is, like the moon landings faked, the space shuttles never really left earth, except in the imaginations of the sheeps and these blind followers.

[@jacobgaughf9391]

@@ThomasJr Lmao okay Thomas

[@nikitaglushkov8473]

@@ThomasJr It's truly remarkable that in the 21st century we have such tremendously uneducated and small-minded assholes as yourself.

[@andrewbutler3]

@@ThomasJr Shut the fuck up please

[@XenoghostTV]

@@ThomasJr Bro shut your bitchass up, we're not licking their ass we're just appreciating their work.

[@Stevonoles1]

Grew up with the space shuttle program. Simply amazing what we can do. The shuttle was an awesome symbol of pride for this country. I miss it. The spacex rockets just not the same. The astronauts that died in Challenger and Columbia are American heros and we will never forget them.

[@DarkZilla2000]

Yes 🥺

[@robertochoque8402]

La tecnologia de la NASA

[@farrukhahmad555]

I Can Do Asset Manager, Accounts , Tax Manager, Transaction Handle, Audit Manager, I Do work with Safe And Honestly

[@bigbluexxxl2493]

Well said.

[@h.plovecraftn-4307]

No

[@gzsunny99]

Space Shuttle Discovery was the first space shuttle to launch after the Challenger crash and the first to return to Earth after the Columbia crash. A hero who can really stand the test, very honorable.

[@HGHsChannel]

10:57 That feeling and sound when the main engines start. Pure joy.

[@peacethroughstrength172]

I hear you, feel it as well every time! That power and rumble is something very special.

[@sneakytom7416]

To think that we're finally seeing it again albeit on the SLS this time is truly exciting!!

[@campbellqwerty]

It's just beautiful!

[@londonlore5881]

When you hear that whistle, you KNOW something good is gonna happen. Despite its well documented flaws in the programme, I absolutely adore this ship 🥲. The recent SLS launch felt so good to see / hear😊

[@lucasandresen5238]

Discovery was always my favorite shuttle, it was amazing to see her lift off one final time and end a very long and historic career, she is the only survivor of the original space shuttles, Columbia, Challenger and Discovery

[@Operation_Blackbird]

Same! I love Discovery so much!

[@sympliamazin5203]

You forgot Endeavor

[@Vanilla_Icecream1231]

@@sympliamazin5203 and Atlantis

[@farrukhahmad555]

I Can Do Asset Manager, Accounts , Tax Manager, Transaction Handle, Audit Manager, I Do work with Safe And Honestly

[@shuttlemasterbkg]

Despite the program's shortcomings, the shuttle system was an amazing piece of technology; the power at main engine start and SRB ignition is incredible!

[@charlese.3419]

The program on paper has NO shortcomings. From the media coverage, if decision makers have taken precautions, both disasters will NOT happen 😡😠🤬

[@boucharafouoba2404]

11:04 The shuttle makes a sound that I love when it takes off

[@rikvermar7583]

never get tired of the shuttle launches, simply one of the greatest shows of raw power at its finest

[@walkerpendleton760]

I could watch these all day

[@chrismlost99]

She will always keep flying in our minds, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour, Columbia and Challenger will always be a part of spaceflight, these beautiful craft are something special. Thanks for posting these amazing videos, I will never tire of watching them.

[@farrukhahmad555]

I Can Do Asset Manager, Accounts , Tax Manager, Transaction Handle, Audit Manager, I Do work with Safe And Honestl

[@robharding1957]

I, along with all my fellow school friends watched the moon landing back in 69, It seems so long ago, but the technology today is light years ahead of the stuff back in 69. I love these space missions, more than the legend of the Titanic.& that takes some doing.

[@gabethebaeb_5881]

I was there with my family on that day. I was stepping on water with seaweed touching my feet. The moment when the shuttle began rising from it's launch pad, I stared in awe. It was a really surreal moment when I saw the very bright rockets at full power. It was probably just as bright as the sun, maybe even brighter. The loud thunderous noise reverberated through my 12 year old body. I had just witnessed history.

[@MitchellCallan-be3pt]

Nm mbnhhhjgjgjgjg Djjvihyjgnvjfjfjgktkjgkfjffjfkgkfujiyhbjtphhdmbjknmjlp Dkkrdjrpgpb Mhbhnjhlhgkvfchjik

[@Gw0wvl]

An absolute marvel of engineering , I've watched this video many times and I still marvel in awe every time I watch it ..... The things we can do as humans when we decide to work together 👍

[@caitlinmurray3373]

I remember being there when I was a little girl and just being in utter awe and wonder and I will never forget the sound of the engines it was a magical experience and one I am never to forget

[@imammishkat7179]

Caitlin Murray are you ready for tomorrow’s launch? now only if the weather permits it

[@jaun4203]

Imam Mishkat WE DID IT! CRIED DURING THE FALCON LAUNCH SUCH A BEAUTY!

[@shannont5049]

Launch videos always make me so emotional. All the hard work, the knowledge, the risk, the hopes and dreams, the anticipation. I always get so choked up.

[@jamesallen5591]

I have witnessed a Shuttle launch in person. The most amazing thing I've ever seen.

[@rtraveler2004]

Me too! I was only 5 at the time but I remember it quite well actually! It was incredible!

[@doughnut2791]

Your name is James Allen. Mine is Allen James Cool

[@jamesallen5591]

@@doughnut2791 Cool, brother Allen-James, from James Allen

[@stormsfromcalifornia4379]

had to be amazing

[@jimhernandez7712]

@@doughnut2791 coincidence ? I don't think so.....

[@lessevdoolbretsim]

All those thousands of parts having to work just right, at the right time.....amazing.

[@user-xn4dr9uq1r]

lessevdoolbretsim чинелли бро

[@user-xn4dr9uq1r]

lessevdoolbretsim кольнаго👀

[@pattas2005]

11:00 - I never get tired of seeing that flex!

[@Operation_Blackbird]

Perfect!

[@kentwilton]

I think the industry refers to it as the "Twang"

[@emretatar2261]

11:02 Two, one, booster ignition, and the final liftoff of Discovery, a tribute to the dedication, hard work and pride of America's space shuttle team.

[@angelamartin1717]

I cried like a baby when I watched this Live on television...please bring the shuttle program and the Concorde planes ✈️

[@mkhaliphimnguni4001]

from T-15 seconds, everything happens so fast. what a beautiful lift off, the best video ive seen so far!

[@Micknesss]

The commentary on this video with the occasional fun fact update was absolutely fantastic! Spoken clearly and in an easy to understand language. This is how you win regular people over!

[@104thDIVTimberwolf]

Agreed, but I still miss Jack King.

[@redcoat75uk36]

Seeing the first shuttle flight on the telly a few days before my 6th birthday is one of my earliest memories. This last launch was just as incredible as the first. The shuttle never ceased to amaze or impress.

[@pebmets]

I always liked that we got to hear the back and forth with launch control as they talked with shuttles before launch. I also enjoyed the added NASA commentary during the countdown and ascent into space in addition to listening to capcon talking to the crew. While the SpaceX launch was exciting, I always loved the way NASA televised the old shuttle launches over how the SpaceX launch was televised.

[@tsurutuneado5981]

What an incredible piece of engineering, not the most cost efficient one but the most beautiful one.

[@Rosson311]

"For those watching, get ready to witness the majesty and the power Discovery as she lifts off one final time" - 4:23

[@silverback1518]

It was my pleasure to see 8 launches of the various shuttles. Hard to describe the sight and sound. Inspiring !

[@LeftIsBest001]

Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis & Endeavour. (Mir, Buran, Sputnik, Galileo... etc too. 😉) They should be the names of our first FTL Starships. 🖖

[@graciemarie9740]

Enterprise wasnt really a shuttle it didnt go into space it was just a tester

[@LeftIsBest001]

@@graciemarie9740 - I know that, but it WAS a Shuttle.

[@Operation_Blackbird]

@@graciemarie9740 Huh, never knew that! Whenever I look it up, it says there are only 5 shuttles.

[@franmellor9843]

Gemini too

[@franmellor9843]

@@graciemarie9740 the new and improved space exploration ship is to be called Enterprise as a nod to what fired everyone up to space travel...Star Trek

[@abandonallhope5239]

I could watch these launches all day. It’s incredible the amount of thrust the engines have.

[@walkerpendleton760]

Same

[@jmarston1043]

what i love about the Space Shuttle launches is the moment when the 3 space shuttle main engines fire up you can see the shuttle lift slightly raring to go and then the 2 SRB's go "BOOM" - and when those SRB's go "BOOM" and the shuttle starts it's trademark spiral towards the clouds there is no finer sight or sound ever created by man (apart from the Saturn V of course)

[@aerodynamickerbal]

Its all fun and games until booster 4 gonna fly...

[@Eexpers]

I'm always amazed how quickly it rolls after liftoff - some instances nearly instantly

[@bigmaxy07]

Thing of beauty. The shuttle's weight naturally rolls it over and the 3 gimballed engines you can see try to counteract it to control trajectory. Sciencing !!

[@srinitaaigaura]

You want to be on the correct orbital alignment as soon as possible and start the gravity turn. When the shuttle goes slowly this needs the least amount of momentum change.

[@kulmainer]

A masterpiece of NASA and all the people of America! And now with 2018 this is all so unbelievable! I was 7 years old when Apollo 11 launched to the Moon and I have watched Neil Armstrong to step onto the Moon! Discovery, thanks for your last flight and service to human mankind, we will never forget all of your great flights and landings! Thank you so much Discovery out of Bavaria, Germany.

[@Papershields001]

I love how all other flights to the ISS had an “instantaneous” window, but not Discovery. She had enough performance to get there even with an error or a bit of time wasted.

[@farrukhahmad555]

I Can Do Asset Manager, Accounts , Tax Manager, Transaction Handle, Audit Manager, I Do work with Safe And Honestl

[@hydrogenbombb]

I was there that February evening watching that launch. I can tell you this much, after the previous attempt to launch was a no-go and the fact we drove 12 hours to see this, I was extremely happy to see the launch. If I remember correctly it came down to the very last second in the launch window. Having watched the launch I was ecstatic and totally depressed realizing I would never be able to see another launch. Truly amazing stuff.

[@sdfghgtrew]

You can watch starship now 😊

[@tylerwillard5077]

Chills at 11:18 "This is mission control to Houston the space shuttle now rolling over onto it's back making it's ride into orbit, Discovery making one last reach for the stars"

[@MuhammadFatihi]

Yuppo ! And u must hear the command in STS-121 also because for me it is the best i've heard ever. It sound like this “ 3, 2, 1 booster ignition and lift-of of the Space Shuttle Discovery returning to the space station, paving the way for future mission beyond ”

[@ThomasJr]

Stanley Kubrick really is a very talented director, uh you guys? And the sheep follow blindly thinking "omg, how amazing these men of science is". The thing is, like the moon landings faked, the space shuttles never really left earth, except in the imaginations of the sheeps and these blind followers.

[@vitormaroso4064]

@@ThomasJr stfu

[@nicholas1310]

Thomas JR. lmao hope u kidding

[@ThomasJr]

@@nicholas1310 please help me debunk these fake videos of space crafts leaving earth, we need to alert more people of these hoaxes

[@EvilSnipa]

Being there and hearing those boosters is something i will never forget!

[@srinitaaigaura]

Amazing launch, and the telemetry takes it to the next level. How they managed to launch it with just ONE second remaining in the launch window!

[@lowmazda626]

this brings tears to my eyes. this is the magical and inspiring side of humanity. working hard and pushing the boundaries.

[@laionemeihetahikoulakanate9515]

scott h yeah sad.

[@dimaltabuni4002]

yeah fuck that 😁😂

[@BhaveshPatel-ui7rt]

scott h ....

[@sfsaviation]

what are you fuckin gay

[@debbaz7476]

The shuttle program was awesome ❤️ so sad I never got to see a launch 😢

[@matthewinsydneyful]

“ Discovery , making one more reach for the stars”. Lovely sentence.🌏

[@fromnorway643]

The nearest star (Proxima Centauri) is about *_100 billion times_* further away than the International Space Station!

[@skittlecar1]

Why does the last 30 seconds before liftoff take forever. Yet the first 30 seconds after liftoff happens in an instant.

[@jonahsgang8830]

Yeah it’s like 30 secs feels like 30 minutes during a rocket launch

[@dangraham9741]

is fascinating and almost emotional to have footage of space trips like these .

[@chrisonpc7518]

"Discovery now making one last reach for the stars" :')

[@Steino1912]

ChrisOnPC I tear up when I hear that and listen to discovery blasting away

[@chrisonpc7518]

I know! It is so amazing :)

[@msanthropea13]

ChrisOnPC I seriously got teary eyed :'(

[@liondrak]

i wonder how can they make such good quotes

[@AlsatianK9]

It hit me with all the feels

[@rayray52xx]

I wish they kept doing this, so I could watch this live, it's so fascinating!

[@Pilot853]

Expensive

[@jesusramirezromo2037]

+David Godfrey the shuttle was a wste of money, time and lives, traditional rockets can domits job with less cost and higher relaiability

[@DogSerious]

They were being pressed to instal new and better digital cameras all the time. That meant they couldn't splice and animate as good as they could, the gig was up.

[@kickthesky]

I was there for that launch. Incredibly great weather. Thought for sure it was going to be a no-go and be scrubbed, but pleasantly surprised that it went off. Spectacular launch.

[@byzelimium]

I remember going to see this in 4th grade and the mission was scrubbed from the original launch date. It was an amazing day my dad has it recorded on tape. I'm now in my freshman year of college

[@TommyCubed]

This launch made me love space. Thank you Space Shuttle Discovery and her crew for making my life have worth.

[@schweet1198]

14:36 By 3.5 minutes into the flight it has reached a point where it could safely make it down to emergency landing sites in Europe should there be a problem or engine failure... just how fast that ship is traveling. I understand there would be additional time in the glide back down but still, just an incredible flight.

[@jakesitsonatreewaitforshre1852]

Seeing Discovery in person is awesome. I'm so glad we got that one 🙃

[@michaeladams2151]

This is absolutely glorious. I love the check lists so much

[@ethancarter4388]

This is simply amazing. Awesome seeing this space shuttle in person in its final resting place in Washington DC

[@namelessjames7696]

I remember when me and my dad saw this It was my first time seeing a launch and I remember it so vividly. I remember how they almost called it off in the final few seconds and I was worried that i wasn’t going to see the launch but then they fixed the problem and it was so beautiful as it launched into the sky.

[@brich2929]

I waited my entire life to be able to see a shuttle launch and got to make it down to see this one.

[@I.M.A.Panther3619]

What a magnificent achievement. The shuttles were incredible machines.

[@oubrioko]

13:33 One of the best shots of the entire shuttle program showing the orbiter and external tank continuing their ascent, while both solid fuel rocket boosters tumble away post staging.

[@srinitaaigaura]

I wonder why they never showed it somewhere in the corner for as long as they could track them. Those cameras that track the shuttle are dope. They actually use a huge telescope on a movable platform to track them.

[@ilovethetampabaylightning92]

Absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring.

[@peyton3391]

I was in Daytona when it launched and I remember it was cloudy but you could still see the line going straight up in a tiny opening of the clouds. When it arrives back to earth it was loud! You could literally hear it, it woke us all up.

[@patrickbagnano1561]

Watching this video again for probably the 50th time.

[@lessevdoolbretsim]

It's the kind of brain buzz you never get enough of.

[@tongisbongis2130]

The ignition sequence is so satisfying!

[@MicrobyteAlan]

I was there for the launch and landing. What a machine. Thanks from Orlando Florida.

[@bobbarker3248]

People used to think the shuttle looked weird when it first came out, and now every thinks it looks amazing.

[@robinm1729]

From a showmanship standpoint, nothing beats a shuttle launch... *NOTHING* !

[@fromnorway643]

Except *THIS:* kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6jRZX-Mi9t0i7M

[@keithsewell283]

The shuttle was amazing god bless usa.. from the uk

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

Thank you our Brit friend !! We can always count on the Brits as our allies. Come to the USA: you're always welcome !!

[@georgejurukovski]

What humans are capable of - what a privilege to be alive at this point in time. Mars, here we come!

[@Bro19999]

I’m so proud to say I got to see this launch in person.

[@stevenfisher4809]

I was there that day. We had to keep coming back to Florida and on the 4th try it launched. Most amazing experience and was glad I made the sacrifice to keep coming back for when it did finally launch. We were at the Visitors center and it was extremely crowded. Since it was Discovery's last launch almost all the previous astronauts to fly on her were there. We got to meet lots of astronauts and take our pictures with them. NASA had set up areas for them to speak to the crowd and take pictures with autographs. Thank you NASA.

[@panagiotissachinis43]

6 years ago this beauty flew for the last time... Ah what a magnificent peace of engineering! :D

[@doctordank]

But now we're back!

[@bustinlooseracing7144]

Only took 8:45 minutes to get into space THATS AMAZING

[@quazar5017]

Most rockets take around ~8-10 minutes to space, it is a good balance between efficient flight profile ("high acceleration") and economic rocket design ("put lots of heavy stuff on it").

[@Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8]

from Zero to Orbital Velocity or Mach 25 in 8 1/2 minutes

[@christianbaler1166]

9.00 Minutes to kick your Butt to a Orbit arround the World!!!....I wanna go with a Vehicle with this Power and Speed....

[@paulsayman3069]

@@Galaxius2117 impossible. how fast is it if it reached the exosphere for 2 mins?

[@Fossilized]

It took 4 minutes 7 seconds to reach space.

[@jedisdad2265]

My Father, Son and I were all there watching this live!

[@firehorse_44alpha-omega]

Never gets old viewing this epic launch...... Priceless

[@VNVgirl]

i miss the shuttle..

[@Karolcreepers]

Well, the space shuttle looks cool, but its a waste of money and its the deadliest spacecraft ever built. So its dangerous af.

[@VNVgirl]

The Space Shuttle was great and when people lost their lives, for the most part, it was the rockets , not the shuttle. So the friggin shuttle was fine. Stop saying the shuttle was bad.

[@liondrak]

They are pretty and symbolic ships, but we have to keep going forward and use new technologies.

[@trendaburton]

VNV Girl miss watching them launch from my front yard and hearing the sonic boom when they reentered.

[@VNVgirl]

@tab1969 Woah! That would be sooo cool! Lucky!

[@cheezenip2737]

The dislikes are from flat earthers lol!!

[@musicmaniaph6990]

Yeah lol

[@predatorjunglehunter7332]

and Spacex fanboys

[@Adam195IL]

Mainly spacex fanboys... I don't know why they think loving spacex means you should hate NASA.

[@thatoneguy611]

@@Adam195IL yeah... I once had a SpaceX fan trying to tell me why they think the sls program should be defunded. They didn’t have a real reason, they just didn’t like NASA. I personally love both NASA and SpaceX. With both of them around, I get to watch more launches.

[@FerroequinologistofColorado]

There is something really amazing about watching a space shuttle launch!

[@theoysterbird9846]

Absolutely, utterly magical. Love from New Zealand.

[@nonyabtnes1922]

Dam pulling 3+ g's 800+ miles down range ! Amazing acceleration.

[@davidmyersretiredaerospace8038]

Wish i worked on the shuttle missions.Simply fantastic.

[@nenblom]

That shuttle really couldn’t wait to get into space! What a liftoff!!

[@justanaturalcarguy4031]

11:00 Main Engine Start 11:05 Liftoff 11:53 MAX Q (Maximum Dynamic Pressure) 12:14 Throttle Up 13:11 BECO (Booster Engine Cutoff) 19:33 MECO (Main Engine Cutoff) 19:48 External Tank Seperation

[@Pedrolucky]

14:56 Tile Falls

[@Space_Vulture]

@@Pedrolucky not a tile, it’s a piece of foam from the external tank

[@TheOlegunar]

19:25 "Main engine cutoff confirmed, Space Shuttle Discovery now in space... (y) amazing! Check the G indication how it drops to 0.0 when the engine stops

[@TheViral64]

I remember seeing this outside of my elementary school in Merritt Island when I was in 2nd grade. It was a magical moment.

[@JohnRoberts-wk6rf]

I'm 66 years old, old enough to remember seeing the old Gemini flights. I hope there will come a time when we reach for the stars again.

[@rhymeandreasoning]

My God. One of the most amazing things ever. I get a lump in my throat just watching this.

[@haydenoneil4975]

The Space Shuttle was a beautiful feat of engineering it was sad to see the program ended. but the SLS (Space Launch System) has a lot of promise. I can't wait to see what that program has in store for the future of manned space flight :)

[@Karolcreepers]

Actually the space shuttle was a terrible piece of engineering. Why would they mount a shuttle on the site of a huge tank, which debree can fall of?

[@nir61202]

Karolcreepers It looks cool

[@EliranC]

In few years the X37-C will replace the old Space Shuttles! :)

[@nir61202]

Eliran Cohen No. The space shuttle form factor is ridiculously expensive. A regular space capsule aboard a re-usable rocket (like the Falcon 9) is the best option.

[@electronics_hobbyist]

Hayden O'Neil it was beautiful but shuttles were also to risky, hence why they ended it

[@angelamartin1717]

I cried like a baby when I watched this Live on television...please bring the shuttle program and the Concord planes ✈️

[@intothevoid5074]

The problem with Aerospatiale/BAC's Concorde was that it consumed 4x the required amount of fuel for a transatlantic journey. They could have used LH2/LO2 as the propellant instead of just RP-1 (Kerosene) as what comes out from H2/O2 is effectively exploding water.

[@Bella-wz5up]

I’m so happy I got to witness this from the ground just a bit away from the tower, it was such a privilege to see the last launch up close. I miss that moment, I was so young and now I’d like to have my turn in space if I can 👀

[@kaminoszero]

At 14:55 you can see foam break off the external tank and hit the shuttle bottom twice. This is exactly what doomed the Columbia but at this point and the lack of air the foam had really no power to it to cause damage. This shows even with all the changes after the loss of Columbia they still had foam issues.

[@marinepilot5723]

Yeah I gasped when I saw that foam hit! That was a BIG piece

[@christinamosley9476]

I was shocked when I saw that big piece coming off. Unbelievable how many problems the foam shedding was still causing at the end of the shuttle program.

[@thefrosty1925]

Wow, sends shivers down your spine (for good reasons though!). Absolutely incredible and I hope I have the pleasure of being apart of all of this when I am older :)

[@joshwhitwell9604]

A lot of hard work ahead of you. good luck to you and hope you can achieve it.

[@thefrosty1925]

Josh Whitwell That's very true but thank you so much! Shame I've only just come across you're comment :( Still not used to the Google+ system. But again, thank you! :')

[@JokahFACE]

It's kind of funny watching something blast into space that you've seen up close and personal before. This thing is sitting in the Dulles National Air and Space Museum now. Really cool place.

[@kanekildow7861]

Actually it's at the Udvar Hazey air and space museum

[@JokahFACE]

Kane Kildow Did they move it?

[@GeoffreyPeart]

+Ivan Denisovich Shukhov your both talking about the same place. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport

[@barbelmike]

+Ivan Denisovich Shukhov Faked. Only 3 bolts are holding it to the external tank; and it lands like an aeroplane.

[@thedude4795]

+Geoffrey Peart hahaha thats hysterical!

[@juleshathaway3894]

I could just watch the launches all day. Simply stunning!

[@Nick-wn1xw]

I got to watch that launch in person. What’s hard to see here is that cloud cover was low and just took a few, very few, seconds to disappear from view. Spectacular.

[@alexanderx33]

We haven't had this much capability in the same vehicle for 10 years now. Man I can't wait for starship to match and surpass this by 3 orders of magnitude.

[@HooyahPeacock]

Never ever get tired of those engine's ripping to life!

[@welcometowilloshouseregula7171]

I have been watching this video when I was 5 when I wondered about the space shuttle launch and I loved this video

[@fallinginthed33p]

Beautiful, spectacular, and horrifying from a safety and engineering point of view. Strapping solid rocket boosters next to a fuel tank and next to a manned craft - that's nuts.