One Final Night Launch…
Last week I fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing the Space Shuttle liftoff- in what will likely be the last night launch of the NASA Shuttle Program. Now that the International Space Station is nearing completion NASA will retire the reusable Shuttle fleet in September, and move towards lower cost expendable rockets that might be developed by the private sector. But we can put the politics and economics of the space launch industry aside for now and just appreciate the glory of a very memorable night launch of STS-130 Shuttle Endeavour.
Part One: The Volume of Light
I stood among several hundred people pushed up against the water of the Indian River in Titusville, FL nearly 10 miles from the launch pad. 3, 2, 1 … ignition… liftoff: The rocket reaction of hydrogen and oxygen created a temporary sunrise that transformed a dark horizon into a pure white ball of light that faded into an orange and yellow glow. Seconds later the Shuttle pushed upward, roaring through two separate thick horizontal layers of clouds – lighting up each layer (yellow and orange) as it climbed into the dark morning sky!
There was a collective jaw-dropping ‘wow’, and likely a few tears of joy, shared among the strangers standing along the river. We were watching a large metal truck and crew overcoming gravity by harnessing the massive thrust from combining hydrogen and oxygen. It is the ultimate mastery of molecules…
Part Two: The Rumble Sound Wave
Remember light travels faster than sound! The entire light show goes without a soundtrack for nearly 50 seconds. At 10 miles from the launch site it took nearly a minute (after ignition) for the massive sound wave to roar across the Indian River and consume everyone standing in its path. The rocket had bent the fabric of our still morning air and sent a ripple effect wave that pushed into your body…
And then as the sound wave passed, we watched in awe as the Shuttle headed north dropping her external booster rockets and breaking the bonds of Earth to deliver Tranquility and the Earth-observing cupola (videos below) to the space station. The 4 minute show was over…
Collection of STS-130 Videos (Not my own thanks to a camera fail!)
YouTube has a wonderful collection of launch video recordings (including the sound wave) that are worth watching. Each has its own unique viewing angle – and reaction from the crowd.
Taken from Spaceview Park in Titusville
Taken by someone right near our location in Titusville… the bright sunrise and ripple sound wave and all…]
[Skip to minute: 1:10 - turn volume down low]
Taken from the VIP area at the apollo saturn v center at banana creek
[Amazing visuals... very close... but camera does not follow shuttle]
NASA STS-130 Space Shuttle Night Launch Endeavor sts130 2/8/10
[A Bright orange glow... starting at :59 min. Very nice! And at 2:00 minute you can hear the rumble of the sound wave that we all felt on the banks of the Indian River. Remember it takes time for the sound to travel across the water! But when it arrives - there is nothing like it!]
STS-130 Night Shuttle Endeavour Launch / Titusville
[sound rumble at 1:38]
Space Shuttle Endeavor Launch (STS-130) on February 8th, 2010
[nice recording of sound rumble 1:30 min]
The ‘Official’ video – starts at 10/11 minute – very nice shots
Space Shuttle Launch – Endeavour STS-130 night launch Feb 8, 2010 4:19 am 11.8 miles away
[Sound rumble at 1:28--- wow]
Some great visuals – very close to the launch pad on the Cape – only 3 miles away!
Might be the closet shot of the launch…
‘…that feels good’ from sound wave ripple..
NASA STS-130 Space Shuttle Night Launch Endeavor sts130 2/8/10
[Sound begins at 2:00 min]
STS-130 Launch at NASA Causeway
Nice video from Banana Creek
From the Press Site
So what is STS-130 Carrying? Tranquility and Cupola observation modules!!!
NASA Node 3 press day