Observing STS-125

I can't remember the last time I was interested in the launch of the space shuttle, but there is an air of danger surrounding STS-125 that has my interest. The Space Shuttle Atlantis is expected to take off at 2:01 pm eastern. Atlantis is expected to conduct 5 spacewalks to fix problems on the Hubble Space Telescope, a mission that will cost taxpayers $1.4 billion dollars.

But there are several things you may not know. This space shuttle launch has been canceled once already due to concerns for the safety of the shuttle crew. The problem is space debris, and part of the plan going forward is that the space shuttle Endeavor is on launch pad 39B, on standby, just in case it must perform a rescue mission.

STS-125 is considered one of the toughest space missions in decades, repairing equipment that was never intended to be repaired in space. For context, imagine replacing a hard drive in your computer, while in a zero gravity environment, while wearing a space suit, while traveling at 17,500 mph, and oh btw you have to replace nearly 100 hard drives. Don't lose those little bitty screws either, because you have to use them to put the thing together when your done.

Finally, a little known fact. I have mentioned that ADM Willard played the role of the bad guy wearing the black helmut in Top Gun the movie, but the stunt double for Tom Cruise in that movie was played by former US Navy fighter pilot Scott Altman, who is leading the space shuttle Atlantis mission. Say a prayer for these folks this week, NASA has taken on a lot of risk with this mission, and risk in space can be deadly.