Space Shuttle Discovery Leaves Space Station for Last Time

For those who flocked to Cape Canaveral, Fla., to see Space Shuttle Discovery leave Earth for the last launch, it was a memory that will last a lifetime. This 30-year veteran shuttle has made its final departure from the International Space Station for the last time. For every American, this can only leave a sigh of sadness. There is something so awe-inspiring as hearing, watching, and listening to a shuttle launch from the Kennedy Space Center. No matter if you watch on television or stand along the Indian River as the massive shuttle launches, there is that moment of awe that makes us all gasp for breath.

According to the News-Press, the Discovery flew to the space center 13 times, accumulated 39 missions, and spent an amazing 365 (total) days in space. Those of us who have never left the Earth's orbit can only stand in amazement as a masterpiece such as the Space Shuttle Discovery continues its last journey before heading home. The pictures taken, the sites seen, and the memories created will last a lifetime for these six astronauts.

On Feb. 23, 2011, at 4:50 p.m., Space Shuttle Discovery left the Kennedy Space Center to travel to the International Space Station for the last time. Today, March 7, 2011, the Discovery has left the Space Station for the last time. This shuttle will now make its final flight home.

The Discovery is the first of three shuttles set to leave Earth. This amazing shuttle launch will be followed by the Endeavor in April, and if everything goes according to schedule, the Atlantis in June.

After these three launches, for the first time in over 60 years, the United States will, for the first time, no longer have a government-owned rocket ready to be launched. It could be said that these three shuttle launches are an end of an era.

When will our nation's next launch take place? When will we have the pleasure of watching our tax dollars put to such good use? Remember watching "Star Trek" and thinking about the final frontier? It is that hope, that dream, that we all hope will bring the return of a shuttle ready to launch, ready for takeoff. We will wait, with bated breath, for the United States to return to its rightful place, having a shuttle ready for takeoff.

If you've never been to a shuttle launch, you still have a chance to see one of these amazing launches from the Kennedy Space Center. The Endeavor and the Atlantis prepare to head into space in April and later in June.

Before heading to Cape Canaveral for the next launch, be sure to check out great places to watch the launch along the river before you make the journey. There were thousands of people who flocked to see the Space Shuttle Discovery make its final launch. This is a wonderful prelude to the next two shuttle launches.