Comments on: Space shuttle launch: From the booster rockets' point of view http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 15:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049858 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049858 While I think you're right that there's lots the private sector can do for spaceflight, I think we should mention that "because it's boring" isn't a reason for a government agency to stop doing something. I mean, there's lots of stuff that's best done by governments precisely because there's no profit in them. While I think you’re right that there’s lots the private sector can do for spaceflight, I think we should mention that “because it’s boring” isn’t a reason for a government agency to stop doing something. I mean, there’s lots of stuff that’s best done by governments precisely because there’s no profit in them.

]]> By: von Bobo http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1050372 von Bobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1050372 No profit? That's not the story the private investors are spinning. And if it doesn't work out, then forget it! If it's not sustainable, then lets not waste our resources (your money) on it just because a small portion of society is romantic about the idea. As for the other concerns about the gap between shuttle and the next vehicle, one could say that our country is already in that gap ever since the shuttles started having failures. And what's the worst that happened when the shuttles were grounded? Anything at all? The U.S. will be fine.. there are many many more terrible things out there in the world to be mortified about, if one chooses. No profit? That’s not the story the private investors are spinning.
And if it doesn’t work out, then forget it! If it’s not sustainable, then lets not waste our resources (your money) on it just because a small portion of society is romantic about the idea.

As for the other concerns about the gap between shuttle and the next vehicle, one could say that our country is already in that gap ever since the shuttles started having failures. And what’s the worst that happened when the shuttles were grounded? Anything at all?

The U.S. will be fine.. there are many many more terrible things out there in the world to be mortified about, if one chooses.

]]> By: betatron http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049863 betatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049863 My great fear is that, once given up, we'll never get around to manned space flight again. Particularly so in the current budget/political/not-terribly-intellectual climate. I just have this nightmare of American science and technological acumen swirling around the bowl. Oh, and why do the Europeans get their own moon when they can't even orbit an astronaut??? My great fear is that, once given up, we’ll never get around to manned space flight again. Particularly so in the current budget/political/not-terribly-intellectual climate. I just have this nightmare of American science and technological acumen swirling around the bowl.

Oh, and why do the Europeans get their own moon when they can’t even orbit an astronaut???

]]> By: betatron http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049869 betatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049869 If you watch the superslo-mo of a launch posted here (/.?) a couple months ago, you can see the flaming skeleton of an unlucky seagull blowing across the platform. Easy to miss. If you watch the superslo-mo of a launch posted here (/.?) a couple months ago, you can see the flaming skeleton of an unlucky seagull blowing across the platform. Easy to miss.

]]> By: Brook http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049871 Brook Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049871 It's also fun to watch in-cockpit video of a launch. Here's one from a Columbia mission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwfsFtpACFw&tracker=False&NR=1 The astronauts get shaken around quite a bit when the boosters ignite. It's pretty cool to watch after the boosters separate: the g-forces gradually increase as they get further into the flight. You can watch the seats of the astronauts slowly lean back, then jump forward as the engines cut off. There's also some interesting audio commentary in which you can hear the astronauts grunting from the high g-loads. It’s also fun to watch in-cockpit video of a launch. Here’s one from a Columbia mission:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwfsFtpACFw&tracker=False&NR=1

The astronauts get shaken around quite a bit when the boosters ignite. It’s pretty cool to watch after the boosters separate: the g-forces gradually increase as they get further into the flight. You can watch the seats of the astronauts slowly lean back, then jump forward as the engines cut off. There’s also some interesting audio commentary in which you can hear the astronauts grunting from the high g-loads.

]]> By: SAMO1415 http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049663 SAMO1415 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049663 Some people 'dislike' these videos on youtube. What's to dislike? Unless they're sad about Discovery's retirement... Some people ‘dislike’ these videos on youtube. What’s to dislike?

Unless they’re sad about Discovery’s retirement…

]]> By: Doctor Device http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049678 Doctor Device Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049678 I think my favorite shot is just after separation, when the rockets start their tumble, and you briefly see the shuttle and external tank racing away. I think my favorite shot is just after separation, when the rockets start their tumble, and you briefly see the shuttle and external tank racing away.

]]> By: alllie http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049680 alllie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049680 I can see why the shuttles are being retired. The bottom of Discovery looks like an old clunker, beaten up with repair on repair on repair. And apparently the new parts don't match the old parts. I can see why the shuttles are being retired. The bottom of Discovery looks like an old clunker, beaten up with repair on repair on repair. And apparently the new parts don’t match the old parts.

]]> By: Capissen http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049682 Capissen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049682 This is beautiful and amazing footage, but while this past launch may have been Discovery's last, it's not the last for the program. The last space shuttle to go up will be Atlantis, scheduled for late June: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html This is beautiful and amazing footage, but while this past launch may have been Discovery’s last, it’s not the last for the program. The last space shuttle to go up will be Atlantis, scheduled for late June: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

]]> By: Guysmiley http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049686 Guysmiley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049686 Youtube comments/votes are usually formed by distilling human stupidity, I try not to look at them. Youtube comments/votes are usually formed by distilling human stupidity, I try not to look at them.

]]> By: jaejae http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049697 jaejae Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049697 Great video, thanks for sharing it! I have to say that this isn't the last shuttle launch, though; just Discovery's. Great video, thanks for sharing it! I have to say that this isn’t the last shuttle launch, though; just Discovery’s.

]]> By: betatron http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049699 betatron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049699 Yay!! only two more shuttle launches before we can beg the Russians to please please let us put our astronauts in orbit!! WOOHOO!! I'm well aware of why the shuttles are being retired and i'm fine with that -- relieved actually--, but I'm more than a little bit annoyed that we managed to stumble-fsk our way for THREE DECADES without having built a replacement. Everyone gets that right? To belabor the point Last shuttle flight == ask Putin's permission to launch our astronauts into space. Yay!! only two more shuttle launches before we can beg the Russians to please please let us put our astronauts in orbit!! WOOHOO!!

I’m well aware of why the shuttles are being retired and i’m fine with that — relieved actually–, but I’m more than a little bit annoyed that we managed to stumble-fsk our way for THREE DECADES without having built a replacement.

Everyone gets that right? To belabor the point

Last shuttle flight == ask Putin’s permission to launch our astronauts into space.

]]> By: snorcup http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049718 snorcup Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049718 Maybe, kinda, for a minute.... We went to FL last Feb. to see Endeavor fly, and if you remember that's around the same time a lot of the NASA budget announcements were being made. Florida's "Space Coast" is a small chunk of the world that has done nothing but shoot shit into space since the 50's or 60's. There's an economy and an infrastructure down there based on launching vehicles into space. We may need to ask the Russians to courier a few care packages and Astronauts back and forth, but I really believe that the private sector is going to step their game up and take a more active role. Space X already launched and recovered their "Dragon" space capsule on top of a Falcon 9 rocket, and they did it from Cape Canaveral AFB, which is adjacent to NASA's facility on the Space Coast. I'm a geek, I like the space shuttle, and I'll never forget it, but I think NASA's model is old, outdated, and terribly expensive. Give NASA some respect, let them keep their dignity and continue to innovate, but let the price sector start handling the "routine" trips to LEO. Maybe, kinda, for a minute….

We went to FL last Feb. to see Endeavor fly, and if you remember that’s around the same time a lot of the NASA budget announcements were being made.

Florida’s “Space Coast” is a small chunk of the world that has done nothing but shoot shit into space since the 50′s or 60′s. There’s an economy and an infrastructure down there based on launching vehicles into space.

We may need to ask the Russians to courier a few care packages and Astronauts back and forth, but I really believe that the private sector is going to step their game up and take a more active role.

Space X already launched and recovered their “Dragon” space capsule on top of a Falcon 9 rocket, and they did it from Cape Canaveral AFB, which is adjacent to NASA’s facility on the Space Coast.

I’m a geek, I like the space shuttle, and I’ll never forget it, but I think NASA’s model is old, outdated, and terribly expensive.

Give NASA some respect, let them keep their dignity and continue to innovate, but let the price sector start handling the “routine” trips to LEO.

]]> By: igpajo http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049982 igpajo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049982 That Money Shot from 2:25 to 2:35 is just breathtaking! That Money Shot from 2:25 to 2:35 is just breathtaking!

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049733 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049733 Yeah!! It reminds me of skydiving; I didn't "arch" right so I tumbled a bit and got to see the airplane zooming away (well, to be accurate, it was me falling) until I did arch. Seemed really cool to me at the time, but the instructor strapped to my back confided that it was dangerous. Whoops. Yeah!! It reminds me of skydiving; I didn’t “arch” right so I tumbled a bit and got to see the airplane zooming away (well, to be accurate, it was me falling) until I did arch. Seemed really cool to me at the time, but the instructor strapped to my back confided that it was dangerous. Whoops.

]]> By: Wordguy http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049744 Wordguy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049744 I was confused by the view descriptions. I think the cameras are: <ul><li>Upper left of video = Mounted high on shuttle's starboard side, looking down/back at shuttle's tail. <li>Upper right of video = Mounted high on shuttle's port side, looking down/back at shuttle's tail. <li>Lower left of video = Mounted low on starboard side, looking up/forward at shuttle's nose. <li>Lower right of video = Mounted low on port side, looking up/forward at shuttle's nose. </ul> I was confused by the view descriptions. I think the cameras are:

  • Upper left of video = Mounted high on shuttle’s starboard side, looking down/back at shuttle’s tail.
  • Upper right of video = Mounted high on shuttle’s port side, looking down/back at shuttle’s tail.
  • Lower left of video = Mounted low on starboard side, looking up/forward at shuttle’s nose.
  • Lower right of video = Mounted low on port side, looking up/forward at shuttle’s nose.
]]> By: von Bobo http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049749 von Bobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049749 I agree with snorcup. do we really want to see NASA turn into the Greyhound bus of earth orbit? It's time to trust each other and move forward. The russian space program needs NASA to survive, they aren't competitors any longer, the cold war is a historical blip. Progress should have no patience for fear. I agree with snorcup. do we really want to see NASA turn into the Greyhound bus of earth orbit?

It’s time to trust each other and move forward. The russian space program needs NASA to survive, they aren’t competitors any longer, the cold war is a historical blip. Progress should have no patience for fear.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049759 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049759 Amazing how stable the cameras are. You'd expect a lot more shaking considering all the forces involved. Amazing how stable the cameras are. You’d expect a lot more shaking considering all the forces involved.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049767 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049767 If folks enjoyed those shots, I highly encourage you to check out NASA's YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/ReelNASA If you're looking to search through mission photos, you can use the photo search engine here: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/ (As a reminder, all photos and videos found on NASA web resources are non-copyright, unless specifically marked. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html So feel free to find an awesome space shot and print it out. One of my personal favs is: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-118/html/iss015e22323.html) If you've got a decent amount of bandwidth to spare, there is a website that collects various videos from each Shuttle mission, some of them in HD. It doesn't have the best interface, but it has the feeds pulled straight from NASA TV. http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/ Also, some Astronauts tweet on a regular basis, including some nice pics. You can follow them here: http://twitter.com/nasa_astronauts Enjoy! If folks enjoyed those shots, I highly encourage you to check out NASA’s YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/user/ReelNASA

If you’re looking to search through mission photos, you can use the photo search engine here: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/

(As a reminder, all photos and videos found on NASA web resources are non-copyright, unless specifically marked. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html So feel free to find an awesome space shot and print it out. One of my personal favs is: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-118/html/iss015e22323.html)

If you’ve got a decent amount of bandwidth to spare, there is a website that collects various videos from each Shuttle mission, some of them in HD. It doesn’t have the best interface, but it has the feeds pulled straight from NASA TV. http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/

Also, some Astronauts tweet on a regular basis, including some nice pics. You can follow them here: http://twitter.com/nasa_astronauts

Enjoy!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049771 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049771 FYI, They replace the heat tiles individually as needed, the seems between them are quite intentional and filled. The individual tiles change color upon re-entry so you can tell the new ones because they are still dark black. FYI, They replace the heat tiles individually as needed, the seems between them are quite intentional and filled. The individual tiles change color upon re-entry so you can tell the new ones because they are still dark black.

]]> By: MatthewFabb http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049790 MatthewFabb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049790 Note originally Discovery was going to be the last Space Shuttle launch, but NASA has since scheduled 2 more launches this year. Discovery has been retired, but Space Shuttle Endeavour and Space Shuttle Endeavour are scheduled to go up again. Here's NASA's current schedule: http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html Note originally Discovery was going to be the last Space Shuttle launch, but NASA has since scheduled 2 more launches this year. Discovery has been retired, but Space Shuttle Endeavour and Space Shuttle Endeavour are scheduled to go up again.

Here’s NASA’s current schedule:
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049791 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049791 "shots of tumbling through the void of space" Really? Seems like a little over half way though. 220000 ft != 328083 ft or even 400262 feet SRB seperation != Kármán line or re-entry altitude thanks wikipedia! “shots of tumbling through the void of space”
Really? Seems like a little over half way though.
220000 ft != 328083 ft or even 400262 feet

SRB seperation != Kármán line or re-entry altitude

thanks wikipedia!

]]> By: alllie http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1050062 alllie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1050062 <blockquote>Did anyone notice that there's a big chunk missing from the video in the upper-left? At about 2:42 the timecode on the video fades from 141 sec to 280 sec</blockquote> I did notice the streak of the UFO at 1:55-59 in the lower right frame, but you have to do the scroll manually to see it. But really, what was that?

Did anyone notice that there’s a big chunk missing from the video in the upper-left? At about 2:42 the timecode on the video fades from 141 sec to 280 sec

I did notice the streak of the UFO at 1:55-59 in the lower right frame, but you have to do the scroll manually to see it.

But really, what was that?

]]> By: scissorfighter http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049816 scissorfighter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049816 Did anyone notice that there's a big chunk missing from the video in the upper-left? At about 2:42 the timecode on the video fades from 141 sec to 280 sec, and then that clip is out of sync with the rest. I didn't notice it until I checked out the source footage from NASA, which has the same cutout. Why did NASA cut those 140 seconds? Did something embarrassing happen? The two cams on the other tank are continuous, but BOTH right SRB cams are black for those 2+ minutes. http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=68551231 Did anyone notice that there’s a big chunk missing from the video in the upper-left? At about 2:42 the timecode on the video fades from 141 sec to 280 sec, and then that clip is out of sync with the rest. I didn’t notice it until I checked out the source footage from NASA, which has the same cutout. Why did NASA cut those 140 seconds? Did something embarrassing happen? The two cams on the other tank are continuous, but BOTH right SRB cams are black for those 2+ minutes.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=68551231

]]> By: awjtawjt http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049839 awjtawjt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049839 Unfortunately it looks bad not to have heavy lift for human spaceflight in the US for a while. But the next step is to be engineering vehicles for long range missions rather than staying concentrated on low earth orbit. The USA is the only nation currently able to do that piece. If we stay stuck on low earth orbit forever, we won't be able to accomplish the trips to Mars and Europa that we need to be concentrating on. I want a picture of an Europanaut riding a methane whale. Unfortunately it looks bad not to have heavy lift for human spaceflight in the US for a while. But the next step is to be engineering vehicles for long range missions rather than staying concentrated on low earth orbit. The USA is the only nation currently able to do that piece. If we stay stuck on low earth orbit forever, we won’t be able to accomplish the trips to Mars and Europa that we need to be concentrating on. I want a picture of an Europanaut riding a methane whale.

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2011/03/10/the-last-space-shutt.html#comment-1049840 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1049840 That's Endeavor and <b>Atlantis,</b> yes? That’s Endeavor and Atlantis, yes?

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