Photo special: Discovery on launch pad one last time

NEWSALERT: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 @ 1655 GMT
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   The latest news from Spaceflight Now


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BID FOR YOUR OWN PIECE OF SPACE

Bidding has begun for highly-prized space items in the Astronaut
Scholarship Foundation's 2010 Astronaut Experiences & Memorabilia
Semi-Annual Auction. The online auction includes 50 unique lots including
space artifacts, spaceflight relics and personal experiences with
astronaut heroes. The auction closes September 25 at 5 PM EDT so get
started by logging on at:

http://www.astronautscholarship.org/auction
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PHOTO SPECIAL: DISCOVERY ON LAUNCH PAD ONE LAST TIME
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The incredible machine that is the space shuttle has been the central
feature in America's space program for the past three decades. But as
forced retirement looms, the orbiters are flying their final missions
before becoming museum pieces. Spaceflight Now had the rare treat to visit
shuttle Discovery at launch pad 39A and create this photographic
collection of the venerable spaceplane.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/100921onpad/


REBORN AFTER KATRINA, SHUTTLE TANK LEAVES FACTORY
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An external fuel tank damaged by Hurricane Katrina left a New Orleans
factory Tuesday on a 900-mile barge trip to the Kennedy Space Center,
where it will be bolted to the shuttle Endeavour for the program's final
scheduled launch.

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts134/100922etship/


SHUTTLE DISCOVERY ROLLS OUT FOR ITS FINAL SPACE MISSION
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For the last time in history, the space shuttle Discovery trekked from
Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to launch pad 39A Monday
night. Watch our Mission Status Center for live updates and streaming
video:

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html


ATLAS 5 ROCKET LAUNCHES CLANDESTINE SPACECRAFT
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Igniting a major surge of five national security space launches in the
next few months, an Atlas 5 rocket soared away from America's western
spaceport Monday night carrying a covert spy satellite.

http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/status.html

LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY:
http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/launch/


VANDENBERG TEAM GUIDES NATION'S CRITICAL LAUNCHES
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Whether it's launching a national security payload with an Atlas 5 rocket
Monday night or rehearsing for the West Coast debut of the mighty Delta
4-Heavy, these are active times for Vandenberg Air Force Base's 4th Space
Launch Squadron.

http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av025/100919sls.html


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SHUTTLE PROGRAM COMMEMORATIVE PATCH ON SALE!
A special commemorative patch to mark the end of the space shuttle program
is now available from our store.
http://www.spaceflightnowstore.com/
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Good Clear Skies
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Astrocomet
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Colin James Watling
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Profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/astrocomera
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Real Astronomer and head of the Comet section for LYRA (Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Regional Astronomers) also head of K.A.G (Kessingland Astronomy Group) and Navigator (Astrogator) of the Stars (Fieldwork)
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Web: http://lyra.freewebsites.com/
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Information: http://www.clubbz.com/club/2895/LOWESTOFT---3054/Lowestoft%20And%20Great%20Yarmouth%20Regional%20Astronomers%20(Lyra