AirSpaceMag.com

John Cox, 32, an orbiter inspector, began working for United Space Alliance seven years ago. As he saw the end of the shuttle era approaching, Cox earned an aviation tech degree and is certified as an airframe-and-powerplant technician. But, he points out, there are thousands of A&P people at KSC losing jobs, and the only place they might go is the airline industry, which is faltering. “Everyone’s holding tight,” he says. “We want to be here for that last landing.” When a shuttle lands, Cox and his colleagues are the first to touch and begin inspecting it. A scissors-lift truck pulls up and unloads the flight crew, and everyone lines up and shakes their hands while the inspectors wait for the brakes to cool. “That last lineup, I don’t know what that’ll feel like,” he says, “but we’ll hook up the tug and tow the ship in and see what’s next.” He pauses. “I’ve got a five-year-old son in the school we hoped for, so I’m hoping to at least be around for the decommissioning.”

David Burnett/Contact Press Images

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Photos from: "Throttle Down" »