Observatory at Blackrock Castle to screen space shuttle’s final lift-off

THE public will be able to watch a piece of history unfold today when the CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory screens live the last take-off of the space shuttle.

Fri, 08 Jul, 2011 - 01:00

Sean O’Riordan and Jimmy Woulfe

The space shuttle Atlantis and four NASA astronauts is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 4.26pm, Irish time, to begin its 12-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Last night there were reports that stormy weather may delay the shuttle’s launch but weather permitting the observatory will start screening the event at 4pm and admission is free. The organisers will also be giving out NASA souvenirs to all who attend.