MetaChat - Ride along on a shuttle launch.

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13 July 2006

Ride along on a shuttle launch. Wow.→[More:]
In particular, watch both "STS-121 Right Forward Solid Rocket Booster Video" and "STS-121 Right Aft Solid Rocket Booster Video". There is a lot of dead time but they are worth watching end-to-end because the brief moments of action are breathtaking. These videos tap into my child-like wonder at spaceflight and give me chills. Just amazing. via

post by: mike9322 at: 09:04 | 5 comments

I skipped to the end of the left aft video. It was freaking incredible, watching the boosters separate from the shuttle. Agh, why did I give up my dream of becoming an anstronaut?

posted by muddgirl 13 July | 09:25

Someone on the /. link posted a list of highlights. These refer to the Aft video:

1:30-1:40 Mach transition (breaking the sound barrier - watch the nose)
2:39 a rather visible bit of debris flies right past the camera
2:58 separation from the orbiter/tank stack
3:59 as the booster tumbles, you can briefly spot the shuttle as a bright dot
5:18 you can see the smoke plume thru the upper atmosphere
7:13 some debris goes past the booster camera
7:17 you can see a shroud (parachute) line falling
7:25 you can very briefly see a chute
7:30 water entry
7:40 the chute falls into the water
8:00 as the booster floats, the chutes and shroud lines are clearly visible around the booster

posted by mike9322 13 July | 09:29

The splashdown at around 7:20-7:50 on the Forward video is too cool. When the shadow of the booster and parachute comes into view on the water, I got a huge involuntary grin. I love this stuff.

But nothing beats the SRB separation at 2:58 of the Aft video.

posted by mike9322 13 July | 09:42

That is freaking amazing. I'm all dizzy and shit.

posted by tr33hggr 13 July | 12:04

Wait, Stanley Kubrick's dead, right?

posted by mudpuppie 13 July | 14:17

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