Wednesday, 03 August 2005, 2027
I can remember the first time I saw the images from a video camera positioned on the external fuel tank during a Space Shuttle launch. It was the first time images like that had been recorded. And I was amazed by its beauty. In subsequent years, new cameras were occasionally added and on-board video equipment captured great images during launch, re-entry and landing.
But in their effort to improve the safety of manned space flight, NASA has been increasing the amount of data they collect during tests and flights. During the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-114, I was once again floored by viewing images never captured before: the external fuel tank separating from the ship and beginning its fiery and destructive voyage through the atmosphere.
Just this moment while browsing around the NASA website looking for a new desktop wallpaper I discovered the video to end all videos. Yes, not even the images captured during the historic Shuttle repair space walk I feel compare to this.
Have you ever wondered what the ride was like on the back of a solid rocket booster? Well, wonder no more. NASA has video from the left SRB as it propels away from the external fuel tank and falls all the way into the Atlantic ocean. There is creepy audio also, so be sure to turn your speakers up.
This amazing footage starts out slow. Do not get impatient and fast-forward through any of this video! You will see the simultaneous jettisoning of the solid rocket boosters and watch as they tumble down to Earth, falling like the Odyssey from 2010. If you look carefully, you can watch the right SRB as it falls in parallel.
Spinning and falling, the Earth appears to be much farther away than it is, but then when clouds quickly streak by you know the voyage is close to an end. There is a strange flash of light and then blurry images; those are the three parachutes slowing the decent. Then, splash! Bobbing on the surface of the water, the mighty engines come to a rest.
3 Comments on “The Rocket's Red Glare”
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| 3 Comments | The Rocket's Red Glare | http://mtsutro.org?p=341 Science & Technology |
Red rocket, red rocket!!!
Sorry, I waited a few days but in the end I just couldn't resist
I finally got to see this (yes, 7 minutes of free uninterrupted time IS hard to come by) and it was really cool! Thanks for sharing!
Quite fascinating video — I'll be forwarding to my family in Central Florida.