Shuttle Launch retires endeavour after 25th mission

It might not only be the Royal Wedding, but NASA also has its own major event happening today. The space shuttle Endeavour is going to take off for its last launch on the afternoon of April 29 at 3:47p.m. As many people have interest and want to witness this kind of event, NASA has a VIP guest list of people who will be present for the launching and will have special seats. A total of 118 guests were invited, including President Barack Obama.

People Expected

Obama is expected to show up at the launching with his wife and children, according to what was released by the White House. Endeavour is still NASA’s youngest ship and already prepared to retire after what will be its 25th expedition. The guest list is only for the VIP’s that will be redirected to special places in NASA, but the launching can be watched by the general public.

The experts that work at the space agency are expecting over 700,000 viewers to show up at locations around Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral (Fla.). What the specialists have already predicted is the weather, with a 70% chance of clear skies, which leaves the possibility of delay of the liftoff if clouds and strong winds decide to make an appearance.

Society’s Adjustments

As a consequence to the number of people expected to watch Endeavour’s last mission, the Florida Space Coast hotels are all sold out. Considering that hotel reservations give an advance on how many people will be in the city, restaurants are already supplying their stocks so that food can be served to all of the tourists.

A top tourism official, Rob Varley, said “The shuttle program is winding down and this is something that is on everybody’s bucket list. For many people, it’s like ‘Uh-oh. We only have two more chances to see one.’” Another differential with this launching is that the captain is Gabrielle Giffords husband, Mark Kelly. Giffords is Arizona’s Congresswoman who was shot in the head in January.