<p>Because several astronauts started out as Air Force Academy cadets, I rationalize that I can post this here…:)</p>
<p>Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift-off today at 1445! My family was lucky enough to see her all perched and ready to go in the launch pad back in December. She’s been waiting two months for this day.</p>
<p>It will be a historical moment if she goes off as planned as the shuttles will all retire after this launch.</p>
<p>I hope you cadets get to see it.</p>
<p>Atlantis is supposed to go again in August to do the final repair on the Hubble. We know someone who will be on the Atlantis in August...Go Mike and Joan!</p>
<p>Ooops, I stand corrected by Bullet (or Pima)! I thought this was the last launch before retirement of the fleet.</p>
<p>This from this morning: "A cheer went up from in the crew cabin when a ground controller radioed "Go, Air Force" to mission specialist Rex Walheim (WAHL'-hym), a colonel in the USAF."</p>
<p>Might be wrong, just know that Mike is supposed to go up, it could be cancelled. (I am Pima). Mike is a great guy, he was a WSO in the F-111, they have beautiful children. Mike went to test school at Edwards in the 90's (93?) and then over to Nasa @ 97? He has been with NASA for a decade now and this will be his first time to go...I hope they haven't cancelled, but it has been about 14 mos. since we saw him, so it may have been cancelled. If you look up the August Atlantis schedule he is pictured with the crew.</p>
<p>AIM HIGH</p>
<p>Nope Pima it looks like you are exactly right. The 2008 schedule shows each of the three remaining shuttles to each launch again! I really misunderstood when we were at Nasa, I guess! I'm blaming it on that "Shuttle Launch Experience" ride. I just wasn't thinking straight after that experience! :) Hope to see you on the 16th, Pima.</p>
<p>Just FYI - (AP) NASA is anxious to get Atlantis flying as soon as possible to keep alive its plan for six shuttle missions this year. The space agency faces a 2010 deadline for finishing the station and retiring the shuttles.</p>
<p>Okay so I was two years off.... :) Thanks Falcons '11. </p>
<p>It sure was great to see it lift off so perfectly and I'm happy to know there will be more. My daughter told her 4th grade teacher about it and her entire class got to watch. You never know, that could inspire another future astronaut or academy hopeful! My little D already declares that she's USAFA bound like her big sis.</p>
<p>I won't be there, family obligations, but I will be thinking of their family...the last time we saw him, his son was going to Notre Dame, which is our ds's back up. I can still remember their son going to pre-school. His wife is not only beautiful, but gracious and kind (we use to joke that she reminded us of Mother Earth..beautiful, without ever thinking she was, kind to every person, warm and inviting to all the new wives...you couldn't hate her, she was just always there for everyone. Their kids were always well behaved,I even remember Mike taking their oldest to the baseball field for squadron games and standing there with a bat). After almost 15 yrs Mike still looks the same. He is a great guy in every sense (officer, friend and husband). Bullet and I will be watching the take off from home with all of our prayers for their family.</p>
<p>GO AIR FORCE...AIM HIGH</p>
<p>To the future aviators...if you can find Mike's history look it up...he is the person I spoke about that took an unusual route...if you dream it and believe it, you can attain it. Mike wanted to go to NASA as a Capt., he got it..follow your dreams just make sure you choose wisely</p>
<p>If you saw Good Morning America. Mike Good was on. They called him Col.Mike and he introduced his wife Joan and daughter Shannon. Their 2 sons are in college and I am sure that is why they weren't there.</p>
<p>Mike was the one in the wetsuit</p>