Get a taste of what its like to sit aboard a Space Shuttle, be in the control room or in the stands during launch. Shuttle astronauts and a launch director recall the excitement.
I was privileged to watch one Apollo and two shuttle launches. I was really young for Apollo... It just kinda happened, but STS was a different story. We weren't as close (to the launchpad) as most people think, but within a few seconds you know it's there! Mixed reactions from the spectators, including tears. You can't imagine the intensity without ever being there. Fun Fact: Did you know it can rain after a rocket launch? Guess what the exhaust is composed of? I've always been in love with science; astrophysics, rocket science and astronomy being in the top tier; and this was truly on my bucket list.
It's my one and only regret in life, not seeing a shuttle launch in person. I've always been interested in space but just never thought to go see a launch.
I don't see why there should be any "regret" on not seeing a launch in person. These videos are pretty good and I doubt if you would get as much a view as if you were there. Just my humble opinion.
Was fortunate enough to see a night launch in early 90's. I flew down to Titusville Florida, watched from the 5 mile safety point, I'll never forget thinking one could read a newspaper it was that bright. It's so bright you can't see the orbiter just a bright flash of light heading upward. This wasn't the launch but this will give you an idea.. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P282wFz_Pgg.html Caught 2 landings at Edwards (By mere minutes got lucky) The double sonic boom hits you as if it was right next to you. I mean RIGHT next to you. This is a good example of it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WmiZnQK2NLA.html
An astronaut who flew 4 times described it as a paint shaker until the SRBs separate, then smooth as glass until MECO. He likened it to an 8 1/2 minute drag race.
yeah the srbs are scary. those are controlled exploding bombs. so for a bit more than two minutes you are essentially riding a controlled explosion. inside were the "propellant" is, there is like a "star-shaped hole" throughout the whole booster to give early launch more power and "weaken" later stages of the booster, otherwise they would be too powerful and dangerous. but its reliable stuff. at sts-135 a top segment of a booster ( i'll take my chances and claim it was the right booster xD) was the same that was used in sts-1 - this stuff was reusable in fact (:
Great video. And good explanations. I wish this video was remade using astronaut Chris Hadfield's explanation of what a shuttle launch feels like. Look up his videos on that. Very descriptive. Gives you goosebumps when you hear his detailed accounts and you pair it with videos of the launch.
I'll never forget my journey to Uranus. I was very nervous. I mean, you never know what can happen once those boosters separate and you're committed. Once I entered the atmosphere of Uranus, things began to heat up. I will say, I kept one eye on the mission and one eye on the gauges. Uranus can have unpleasant surprises and even though the mission was accomplished, I was always thinking 'abort'. There was no ticker tape parade for my journey to Uranus, but I did get a ham sandwich and a pepsi when I returned home.
How it actually works: Explained by NASA: [VAB] Vehicle Assembly Building Rolls from VAB to LC39a or LC39b LC39A/B: RSS, OAA, GOX connects to rocket for 11 hrs. -7:30 OAA Retract -2:30 GOX Retract 0:00 Liftoff
Isn't human exploration of anywhere in this solar system a vain glorious, colossal waste of resources. Robots can collect rocks, perform chemical analysis, search for microbial life, all that's likely to exist anywhere within a few trillion miles of here. Wouldn't the resources be better spent aiming a great deal further out where we might actually find something interesting (though I gotta admit, I've always wanted to build a little cabin on the shores of one of Titan's lakes.)
