Shuttle Launch

[topless_mike]

Shuttle launches still wow me.
the umph that those booster rockets put out is cool.

question. they get up in the sky, then dump the booster rockets.
they fall down to earth, probably at terminal velocity (9.8meters/second squared).
im guessing they land in the water. what a splash that must make.

[MadMatt]

That is why they launch from the Florida coast - so the solid boosters have no chance of crashing on land and killing somebody. Also, the water landing allows NASA to recover the boosters, refurbish them, and use them again for the next launch.

[topless_mike]

That is why they launch from the Florida coast - so the solid boosters have no chance of crashing on land and killing somebody. Also, the water landing allows NASA to recover the boosters, refurbish them, and use them again for the next launch.

suprised anything is left when they hit the water that hard.

[Mike Teacher]

The boosters have parachutes, terminal velocity would indeed be a big splash though,

From the space peeps:

SRB Descent and Splashdown

The nose cap of each booster is jettisoned at an altitude of 2.9 statute miles and deploys the pilot parachute.

At an altitude of 1.3 statute miles three main parachutes release. It is these chutes that will quickly slow the booster's speed from 230 miles per hour to a speed of 51 miles per hour. At approximately seven minutes after liftoff, the boosters will impact the Atlantic Ocean.

The retrieval ships are on station at the time of splashdown, at about 9.2-11.5 statute miles from the impact area. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate and quickly close on the boosters.

=

And yes, launches are very spectacular.

[MadMatt]

suprised anything is left when they hit the water that hard.

They have parachutes that deploy and slow their descent, that way they don't break apart on splashdown.

They have lost a couple here and there, but for the most part NASA has a pretty good recovery record.

EDIT: And the illustrious Mike The Teacher beat me to it. Kudos!

[KC2OSO]

I like the fact that it burns the Liquid Oxygen/Hydrogen mix during launch at a rate of ~10,000 gallons per second.

That would empty the average swimming pool in three seconds.

Cool Site (http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle.htm/printable)

[MadMatt]

I like the fact that it burns the Liquid Oxygen/Hydrogen mix during launch at a rate of ~10,000 gallons per second.

That would empty the average swimming pool in three seconds.

I had a car like that in college...

[bobsnin]

Saw the smoke trail out my office window. The best is when they land and you get the sonic boom. The windows kinda suck in then expand and there's a gut-thud boom.

[topless_mike]

The best is when they land and you get the sonic boom.

http://www.rvgfanatic.com/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_590301/GuileTech.JPG

[bobsnin]

The night launches are pretty cool also. The sky lights up like its early morning, and I'm about 80 miles away.

[MadMatt]

Watching a shuttle/space ship launch is on my list of "Things to do before I die."

I would especially like to check out the first launch of the new generation of ship. Maybe I can make that happen. :thumbup:

[Freitag]

Here's an interesting tidbit...

The shuttle is carrying three flags to be flown at Daytona. But unless they come home early, those flags aren't making it. It's an 11 day mission, Daytona is on 2/17.

[bobsnin]

Definitley worth a watch. The old folks down here love it, but it doesn't take much to impress them.

[topless_mike]

Here's an interesting tidbit...

The shuttle is carrying three flags to be flown at Daytona. But unless they come home early, those flags aren't making it. It's an 11 day mission, Daytona is on 2/17.

ah, govt planning at its finest.

[Furtherman]

Shuttle launches still wow me.
the umph that those booster rockets put out is cool.

question. they get up in the sky, then dump the booster rockets.
they fall down to earth, probably at terminal velocity (9.8meters/second squared).
im guessing they land in the water. what a splash that must make.

There are a few shots following the boosters with cameras on them from launch to splashdown on Youtube.

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Io4rvN5dRtk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Io4rvN5dRtk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

I love it at about 1:55 here when it releases and you see the shuttle rocket away. Something right out of Star Trek!

[Lawson]

Watching a shuttle/space ship launch is on my list of "Things to do before I die."

I would especially like to check out the first launch of the new generation of ship. Maybe I can make that happen. :thumbup:

My friend did the whole one day NASA tour and shuttle launch visit. Said it was WELL worth the money.

I was on a flight landing in Florida a few years ago and the pilot said we were gonna loop around because the shuttle was about to launch. I expected to see a little dot... holy crap! the fireball and smoke looked huge from the plane... really amazing... and my f'n camera was in baggage :wallbash:

[tele7]

Discovery is set to launch at 5:02 EST. Live feed here:

Edit:The full screen option is pretty clear..

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[MadMatt]

Discovery is set to launch at 5:02 EST. Live feed here:

Edit:The full screen option is pretty clear..

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

EDIT: Ah-Ha - There is a built-in "Hold" when the countdown reaches 9 min. It sounds like a 45 min. hold which would put the launch at 5:02pm. Sorry folks.

They just announced T minus 13 min. 45 sec. and it was about 4:04pm. It sounds like the launch is going to happen between 4:15-4:20 and not 5:02pm.

Unless I heard something wrong, which is entirely possible. Just don't want anybody to miss it.

[tele7]

Bump

Discovery is set to launch at 5:02 EST. Live feed here:

Edit:The full screen option is pretty clear..

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

[Friday]

present and accounted for, sir!

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t250/Haskellitoberg/tinfoilhat.jpg

[tele7]

Ha! We have to stop meeting like this. People will talk.

[Fallon]

I got NASA channel on. Guess I missed the beginning.

[Mike Teacher]

Its still a friggin miracle those things make it up each time, IMHO.

Closest I ever got to a launch was while at Disney about 7 years back:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m110/MizzleT/MikesPics/2001DIS42.jpg

=

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m110/MizzleT/MikesPics/2001DIS37.jpg

[TooLowBrow]

heres what i learned

-they were burning half a ton of fuel a second

-they went from 3000 to 10000 to 14000 mph. i think the guy said they would reach 5 miles per second

- one of those guys is gonna stay up there for the next 6 months

- it will take 2 days to catch up with the space station, talk about a long flight

... if i was up there id keep asking them to send up some more oxygen, how much extra do they have with them anyway?

[TeeBone]

Just ran back inside...
There is a park near my place in Orlando and I had a great view of it. Incredible launch!!!
After the roll, the shuttle went North right up the coast. Did I mention it was awesome?

[scottinnj]

Whenever Directv launches a new satellite, they dedicate one of the channels for live coverage.

The last one was a while back, Directv has a bunch of satellites now, and launches are to replace the older models. But the last one I saw was from Russia, and those rockets are pretty awesome to watch going up. They even have cameras in the cargo bay, so you can see the satellite leave the rocket.

[TeeBone]

They just showed video of something flying off the boosters and into the shuttle...
Might be a problem.

[scottinnj]

They just showed video of something flying off the boosters and into the shuttle...
Might be a problem.

Dammit! I'm so tired of this. I wish they'd get the new vehicle up and going-it's supposed to be tough as nails to be able to withstand the beatings these things get while going up.

[TheMojoPin]

Awesome frontpage headline on CNN.com:

Shuttle Discovery blasts off carrying toilet fix

[TeeBone]

Dammit! I'm so tired of this. I wish they'd get the new vehicle up and going-it's supposed to be tough as nails to be able to withstand the beatings these things get while going up.
They are ending the program in a few years and only 2 lunches left this year. We have to wait until OCtober for the next one.

[scottinnj]

They are ending the program in a few years and only 2 lunches left this year. We have to wait until OCtober for the next one.

Only two? I'm fucking starvin', got any freeze dried ice cream back there? Tang? ANYTHING?

[TeeBone]

Only two? I'm fucking starvin', got any freeze dried ice cream back there? Tang? ANYTHING?

Nice

[scottinnj]

BTW Teebone, how do you get tickets for the launches? We were down there in March, and the shuttle was landing, so I called the Cape, and got lost in the "press button for" maze.

[TooLowBrow]

Just ran back inside...
There is a park near my place in Orlando and I had a great view of it. Incredible launch!!!
After the roll, the shuttle went North right up the coast. Did I mention it was awesome?

they said that, at the time of launch the space station (destination) was over some part of canada, so thats why it went north

[TeeBone]

BTW Teebone, how do you get tickets for the launches? We were down there in March, and the shuttle was landing, so I called the Cape, and got lost in the "press button for" maze.

Tickets?
I just walked outside, went down the street to a park and looked East and up.
No charge.

[EffMeBoobs]

Its still a friggin miracle those things make it up each time, IMHO.

Closest I ever got to a launch was while at Disney about 7 years back:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m110/MizzleT/MikesPics/2001DIS42.jpg

=

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m110/MizzleT/MikesPics/2001DIS37.jpg

That's friggin' awesome. I notice that's the Contemporary hotel on Disney property in the background. I think it's so neat that you can see the launch from Disney which is an hour and 45 minutes away from Nasa.

[Furtherman]

The LAST Shuttle launch is happening RIGHT NOW.

WATCH IT LIVE. (http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=public)





GODSPEED!!!

[brettmojo]

15 secs..

[brettmojo]

It's so freakin' quick.

[Furtherman]

10 minutes, and you're in space.

[Crispy123]

The LAST Shuttle launch is happening RIGHT NOW.

WATCH IT LIVE.

I did. It was only visible for a few seconds until it hit the clouds,

[Judge Smails]

The LAST Shuttle launch is happening RIGHT NOW.


It's the last one for Discovery. Endeavour and Atlantis still have to go.

[Furtherman]

The LAST Shuttle launch is happening RIGHT NOW.

WATCH IT LIVE. (http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html?param=public)





GODSPEED!!!



Ahem...


I mean... the LAST Shuttle launch is happening RIGHT.... NOW!


Watch it here Live. (http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/135_splash/index.html)


T-20 minutes and holding.

[A.J.]

30 years was a good run.

[KnoxHarrington]

I don't feel bad about the space shuttle program itself being killed, because we really do need to move on to something else; they've served us well, but like your old beater car that still gets you to work but you know is about to give out, we need something new.

I'm just concerned that we don't really seem to have anything to take its place yet.

[KC2OSO]

2 minutes...
Wow a perfect launch. Zero to 5000 miles an hour in just a few minutes. Amazing.

Agree with Knox, theres no real next step for the space program afaik.

[Furtherman]

At least Russia and China are still going up. We now sleep under a blood red sky.


Space is communist!

[TheGameHHH]

I don't feel bad about the space shuttle program itself being killed, because we really do need to move on to something else; they've served us well, but like your old beater car that still gets you to work but you know is about to give out, we need something new.

I'm just concerned that we don't really seem to have anything to take its place yet.

I completely disagree, if we want to survive as a species we absolutely should not move on to something else. We need to be exploring space because there will come a time that this place just isn't a viable option for us anymore. When that time comes we will either be prepared to leave and continue as a race or not prepared and die off like 90% of Earth's species before us. I'd like to not only see us survive, but thrive in this universe.

[TheGameHHH]

2 minutes...
Wow a perfect launch. Zero to 5000 miles an hour in just a few minutes. Amazing.

Agree with Knox, theres no real next step for the space program afaik.

right before the main rocket broke off the thing was going 15,000 miles per hour, thats fucking insane. and it was no more than 12-13 minutes in.

[Furtherman]

I completely disagree, if we want to survive as a species we absolutely should not move on to something else. We need to be exploring space because there will come a time that this place just isn't a viable option for us anymore. When that time comes we will either be prepared to leave and continue as a race or not prepared and die off like 90% of Earth's species before us. I'd like to not only see us survive, but thrive in this universe.

:thumbup:

[A.J.]

I don't feel bad about the space shuttle program itself being killed, because we really do need to move on to something else; they've served us well, but like your old beater car that still gets you to work but you know is about to give out, we need something new.

I'm just concerned that we don't really seem to have anything to take its place yet.

I completely disagree, if we want to survive as a species we absolutely should not move on to something else. We need to be exploring space because there will come a time that this place just isn't a viable option for us anymore. When that time comes we will either be prepared to leave and continue as a race or not prepared and die off like 90% of Earth's species before us. I'd like to not only see us survive, but thrive in this universe.

I think Knox meant replacing the shuttle program with another spacecraft.

[Crispy123]

It shook the hell out of my doors! Sad to see the last NASA shuttle launch but at least I got the day off of work b/c of it!

Also manned space flight has just been PRIVATIZED, not discontinued completely. NASA is supposed to be developing a new vehicle with a private company and their new directive is to land on an asteroid.

[TheGameHHH]

I think Knox meant replacing the shuttle program with another spacecraft.

If so, then I stand corrected

[cougarjake13]

It shook the hell out of my doors! Sad to see the last NASA shuttle launch but at least I got the day off of work b/c of it!

Also manned space flight has just been PRIVATIZED, not discontinued completely. NASA is supposed to be developing a new vehicle with a private company and their new directive is to land on an asteroid.

why an asteroid ??


we need to get on mars

[cougarjake13]

I completely disagree, if we want to survive as a species we absolutely should not move on to something else. We need to be exploring space because there will come a time that this place just isn't a viable option for us anymore. When that time comes we will either be prepared to leave and continue as a race or not prepared and die off like 90% of Earth's species before us. I'd like to not only see us survive, but thrive in this universe.

i agree that we're fucked if we dont start looking at least at mars and possibly terraforming that bitch to our needs

fuck maybe we humans lived on venus first ... fucked that place up and came here ... now were fucking up this place ... and we'll move on to mars

in any event i dont think the shuttles were gonna get us further then the moon, or at least it'd take too long to get anywhere else

[hanso]

Harry Potter should have been on it.

[Furtherman]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2aCOyOvOw5c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is awesome. A booster rocket launch, which we've seen before, but not with the sound enhanced.

You can hear what it's like to fall back towards Earth from 40+ miles up.... it's haunting.

[CountryBob]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2aCOyOvOw5c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is awesome. A booster rocket launch, which we've seen before, but not with the sound enhanced.

You can hear what it's like to fall back towards Earth from 40+ miles up.... it's haunting.

COOL!

[RoseBlood]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2aCOyOvOw5c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is awesome. A booster rocket launch, which we've seen before, but not with the sound enhanced.

You can hear what it's like to fall back towards Earth from 40+ miles up.... it's haunting.

wow, just wow!

[cougarjake13]

Fuckin awesome

[StanUpshaw]

COOL!

Cool, just cool.

[Judge Smails]

Looking at those tiles on the bottom you realize what a really shitty job they did on those shuttles. No wonder the Columbia blew up. No fucking way you'd get me to go up on one of those things looking like that. You could get better workmanship on those tiles hiring a couple of Mexicans out in front of Home Depot. They'd probably come in under budget too.

[Judge Smails]

Here's some quality fucking tile work:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bluQ4eOeBwo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[brettmojo]

Looking at those tiles on the bottom you realize what a really shitty job they did on those shuttles. No wonder the Columbia blew up. No fucking way you'd get me to go up on one of those things looking like that. You could get better workmanship on those tiles hiring a couple of Mexicans out in front of Home Depot. They'd probably come in under budget too.
This is why you should be running NASA.