Editor: Reading the Obama Administration's budget for American spaceflight, I feel the end of an era. I've already said my piece in other parts of this website and have complained to friends in Washington, for whatever good that will do. Apollo Astronaut, Walt Cunningham will speak about it in more detail in a guest editorial as well. But the feeling that what we've worked for and built over a 50-plus year timespan is about to be tossed to the wind just will not go away. With that haunting me, I started rummaging through my photo files again. It's been a startling 50 years. This album represents just a fraction of what we've seen.

Enjoy.

Jim Slade
2/27/2010

The VAB (Verticial Assembly or Vehicle Assembly Building) was built to house four fully assembled Apollo rockets and spacecraft at once. It was modified to prepare the shuttles.

Inside, it reminds you of a cathedral.

Highbay view of fully stacked space vehicle in VAB prior to rollout.

In place and ready to go. 1981-2010

Same place, 1968-1972.

Overhead view of Discovery on pad.

On the way uphill. This shot was made by a camera looking down from the shuttle's external fuel tank.

Same location, different destination. 1969.

On orbit and the tank drops away.

Place of business..IN business, 2010. Now, that's a real "glass cockpit."

Place of business. Apollo, 1969.

All those things carry us to space. Once there, the world..the universe..is open to us, just waiting.

Looking down to measure a hurricane from space.

Widening the scope. Count the cities if you can. Notice the heavily populated northern hemisphere.

Swing around and look out. That's the galactic center.

On the moon, we had a brief opportunity to study materials from the very foundation of our solar system. We didn't stay long enough to establish a base or to learn how we could use one. But it was truly an evolutionary step for us.

First.

Man on the moon.

Marker.

Lunar Liftoff.

Dazzling.

Home ahead.

We did those amazing things and then never left Earth orbit again. Others are planning to go out to the Moon and use it, and we plan to stay where we are. Why?

Not that there aren't plenty of things to keep us fully employed here..if we so choose..but we're retiring the shuttle and have scuttled plans for a US vehicle to replace it. We will either ride with what commercial operators (still untried) supply us, or our Astronauts will hitch a lift with the Russians..or somebody..

Here's a look at where we've been most recently.

Space Station Alpha.

Front door in sight.

Before each shuttle docking, the shuttle flies a "somersault"
so the station crew can inspect its belly for any damage that
might have occurred during liftoff. It's amazing to watch and
reminds everyone that the spaceship is very agile.

Looking goooood, thank goodness.

Head-on view of the shuttle.
This picture was taken while they were inspecting
for a piece of material hanging from the belly.
It was not a danger to the spacecraft.

This is the shuttle commander's view as he or she steers into final approach.

This is the commander's view of the target he or she must hit with the shuttle's docking probe.

The station began modestly..a Russian section docked to an American section..

..and it grew..

..and grew..

..and it always needed more power. It still does.

..but it is a great place to work and do interesting things.

It's another base for looking deeper and deeper into this place in which we find ourselves.

Or back at ourselves. That's Florida, seen out the back window of the shuttle cockpit. The Hubble Space Telescope can be seen anchored in the cargo bay for repairs and updates.

But all good missions come to an end.
This was Endeavour, when bad east coast weather
forced a night landing at Edwards AFB, CA.

A west coast landing always produces good
pictures, though. Here's Endeavour piggybacking
its 747 over the Johnson Space Center, Houston.

From above. How does it get any prettier than that?

Finally, lets remember what it's all about. I took this shot of this kid with wonder in his eyes at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. He's looking up at the Gemini spacecraft in which Ed White took the first American spacewalk while Jim McDivitt held the controls. The little boy's expression says it all: "Did they really do that?" Yes, they did, Son. They sure did.

It's his future we're talking about, Mr. President.

There's a lot more, but how much time do you have? If we back-slide now after all we've accomplished, if we turn it over to other powers, if we dash our children's dreams, what will the future say about us?

I'm not happy with what I see coming from Washington. Not by a damnsight. I hope you feel the same.

-- Jim Slade February 27th, 2010.

Comments or questions? Write to Jim Slade at: jsairlines1@aol.com