Mini Unit Study: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Day 1

We decided to mark of the end of the Space Shuttle program with a mini-unit study on the remaining shuttles flights.

Endeavour May 15, 2011 STS-134
Atlantis mid-July 2011 STS-135

So on May 16th we grabbed some gluten free pancakes, grapes, OJ and Matchbox Shuttle orbital to watch the launch on CNN online. Hubby was so thrilled he stayed around to watch it with us. This was after all the final launch of space shuttle Endeavour STS-134 and there were pancakes on a weekday. No matter how many launches you watch your heart races at 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and GO for lift off! It was thrilling to share it as a family.

It was a special time as we shared our memories of watching our first space shuttle launch back in 1981!

Also if you are old enough your heart stops the minute the solid rocket boosters separate with an explosion of smoke and fire. Challenger STS-51-L we will never forget.Back row (L-R): Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik. Front row (L-R): Michael J. Smith, Francis "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair.

“ We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of Earth' to 'touch the face of God." President Ronald Regan




Later we pulled out our shuttle and simulated Endeavour's flight path which we were tracking via the internet.
We look forward someday to seeing Endeavour in CA when it is retired later this year. Discovery is bound for the Smithsonian and the National Air and Space Museum at the same time and we will be in the opening day crowds.

More to come...space shuttle math.