STS-117: Atlantis Shuttle Launch

Shuttle mission 117 to the International Space Station is set to be launched today at 7:38 p.m. EDT.


STS-117: Atlantis
Mission to the International Space Station
I always find the launches interesting, and someday when I have the chance, I would really like to watch one (and I dare say, photograph it!).

Space Tourism
These days, traveling to space for a vacation is only for the super-rich. A number of billionaires have paid millions of dollars to spend a few weeks in space.

As further progress is being made, and more resources available, there may come a point where taking a holiday to the space station (or maybe the moon) is a possibility.

Would you be interested in a trip to space if it ever became affordable by the general public? I would, for sure. Somehow there's something more exciting about inter-planetery travel. On the other hand, there's a ton of places I haven't been right here on Earth. A person could spend their life exploring the world, let alone going into space!

Further reading
NASA Shuttle Mission Page
NASA: Countdown 101
CNN: NASA ready to launch shuttle Atlantis