Posted: 4/10/2010 8:34:10 AM EDT
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This was the last night launch, it was in the very early morning twilight. NASA lets people watch from a causeway south of pad 39-A, that this Shuttle launched from, we went with Gator Tours who ran an excellent trip. You take lawn chairs and a soft cooler, NASA has commentary on speakers including live feed from Launch Control and the Shuttle. There were lots of people on the causeway with their own vehicles and lots of private and NASA tour buses. Viewing distance ranges from about 6.5 to 7.5 miles, we were at 7.0 miles.
From the causeway the Shuttle was visible before launch, the sparkler main engine ignitors were easy to see, so was the main engine start and run up and the solid rocket start. Ascent did not look like it does on tv. While the solid rockets were still attached to the vehicle the ascent was very vertical, only slightly pitched to the NE in this case. After separation the Shuttle pitches over and flys at an altitude of 66 miles while the speed increases to "orbital" speed at that altitude, after that speed is reached additional burn time ascends the vehicle to it's intended orbit. This trajectory was plainly visible. Main engine cut off occurs at around 8 min 30 seconds, I wanted to see MECO but lost sight of the main engines at about 7 min 20 seconds. By this time the Shuttle is low in the sky, in the brightening daybreak. Before launch the Space Station went by traveling SW to NE, the plane of it's orbit was to the east of Pad 39-A, the earth is rotating to the east so when Pad 39-A rotated into the Space Stations orbital plane the Shuttle launched. The launch window was 10 minutes wide, actual launch time was right on schedule in the middle of that window. After launch there was a cloud of dilute acid, high and slightly in the direction of the launch, it was the most beautiful cloud I've ever seen, extreme silver in color and mottled in brightness. Well, that's it, this was a fantastic experience. The tour left from Quality Inn International, we stayed there, it is a great place. Tour price includes entry to the Space Shuttle Visitor Complex and the Astronaut Hall of fame, this is admission good for two days. The tour takes you to the Visitor Complex a few hours before it takes you to the causeway. PS, after this it was on to Lauderdale by the Sea and Key Largo for some diving. Life is good! Damned good. |
| Hey Mike, I work there and saw it next to the VAB. Glad you could make one before NASA is forced out to the manned space business. Last Thursday we put 110,000 gallons of liquid Hydrogen into the Pad tank, getting ready for the next launch. Another 300,000 and we will be ready. I think the next Shuttle rolls out next week. |
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I've only seen one night launch, and even from 200+ miles away it is truly an awe-inspiring sight.
When my mother was young she would stay at her grandmothers bungalow just a couple of miles from the launch pad and watch the Saturn Vs going up. I'll bet that was incredible to see. |