It would seem as though the end of an era is upon us. Tomorrow, will be the last scheduled launch of the NASA Space Shuttle. Or at least, that's what the current plan says. Never know with that Florida weather. Regardless of the date, there is only one mission left in the old bird. After which, NASA will recall it's vehicles, and the shuttle will be retired. For good.

I'm not typically one who cares much about so called historical events. However, I do find myself thinking: 'Awww.. no more shuttle.. Awwww'. Yes, there are 2 'Aww's in there. I'm as surprised as you are.

Being the space nut that I am, I spent much of my childhood day dreaming about what it would be like to take a ride up to space in that thing. So much so, that I in fact became the first person to land on the newly repaved landing strip runway at Cape Canaveral.

It was back in the early 80's. My family and I flew to FL to spend the summer with my grandma. During our stay, we took a road trip up to the Cape, and the eager little toddler that I was got on a facility tour bus with the big kids. My parents came along too. The bus took us all around the complex. No I don't remember any of this, but I do have pictures (which will be posted here as soon as my mom comes across them and scans and emails them to me).

Anyway, there we were, enjoying our visit to the great Kennedy Space Center, soaking up every word our tour guide had to offer. At some point during the tour, the bus stopped, and let us all off. We were parked on the landing strip the shuttle was to use on its return to Earth.

As soon as I set foot off that bus, and saw all that open space, I, apparently, took off running. I just bolted. I ran and ran to my heart's content. Then I did something even more remarkable. I tripped. And thanks to all the momentum I had built up, I managed to actually fly through the air. Well, a little bit of it anyway. I had thrust myself forward, stretched out my arms, and landed in a skidding motion on the beautiful newly repaved shuttle landing strip. Yup. That was me.

I, of course, started crying, which alerted the bus driver / tour guide. He rushed over, picked me up, brushed me off, offered a band aid, and proclaimed to the world, that I was indeed the first human to safely return to Earth, using said run way. The rest of the tour people applauded. I got a picture with the tour guide. And I think I even got a plaque commemorating the event.

Perhaps that is why I am feeling a bit 'Aww' about the final shuttle flight.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next. Commercial space will of course fill the gap, and offer space transportation solutions. I do hope more plane type vehicles, rather than capsules, end up on the market. I would much rather be seated comfortably with a window view when I finally venture up there.

The idea of being splashed down upon re-entry in a capsule like vehicle is not quite as appealing as a soft landing in the upright seated position.  That being said, I will take a trip to space in any form that is offered.

Here's to the shuttle! For its decades of awesome service, for sparking my curiosity and interest, for all the amazing scientific discoveries and developments its helped us gain, and of course, for the spectacular pictures it has captured on its journeys.

Want to know more? Click the links below!

NASA's Shuttle and Rocket Launch Schedule
NASA's Latest Space Shuttle News
Read about the Space Shuttle from Wikipedia

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