July 11, 2011

Post date: Jan 1, 2012 8:14:16 PM

On Sunday one of the two solid rocket boosters from Space Shuttle Atlantis were towed into Port Canaveral by NASA ship Liberty Star. When the shuttle launches, the rocket boosters are jettisoned off once the fuel is used up. The boosters land about 100 miles downrange from the launch site. At retrieval NASA Navy divers attach tow lines to the boosters and haul in the parachutes that slowed their descent. At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the booster segments are cleaned and then shipped to Utah for storage. Liberty Star was given a special water cannon salute as it sailed into Port. What a treat on a beautiful day!