NASA TV Fans: Space Shuttle about to Launch T- 3:00 minutes and Counting

[Up2Late]

God Speed Barbara.

For those who don't know, Barbara Morgan, the back up teacher from the "Teacher in Space" program is about to launch.

[johnnie]

1. Watching

Thanks

:thumbsup:

[Nomad559]

2. Streaming video links

mms://a999.l1856946819.c18569.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/999/18569/v0001/reflector:46819

http://www.nasa.gov/55644main_NASATV_Windows.asx

[Up2Late]

3. Good SRB Staging

All is Go!

[Up2Late]

4. Just passed Negative Return

All is Go!

[Up2Late]

5. Press to ATO

All is Go!

[karlrschneider]

6. Press to ATO...can make orbit even if 1 engine fails

8000 MPH 67 mi high

[NeedleCast]

15. That is so cool

I want to ride in a vehicle that goes 8000 MPH.

[cureautismnow]

7. Just watched it from the backyard!

Godspeed, Endeavour! :patriot:

[Up2Late]

14. I use to do that when I lived in Orlando in the early 1990's...

...wish I still could sometimes.

The only time I got to watch from the V.I.P. area, it scrubbed because of high winds.:(

[cureautismnow]

16. That's too bad you missed that particular launch from up-close.

I've lived around central Florida most of my life, so shuttle flights are a treat to view from the backyard. Of course, we always hold our breath ever since the '86 disaster. You also have to be ready for the sonic booms on the return flight! That loud burst can startle the hell out of you if you forget about the shuttle's return to KSC. Let's hope these last 15 or so flights go off smoothly and then we can put the shuttle to rest. Out with the old, in with the new...

BTW, I was around KSC when Apollo 17 blasted off. It was delayed until 3 or 4 in the morning and then wow... A pitch black night turned into daylight in an instant! :wow:
I was just a youngster then, but that's one moment I'll never forget. That Saturn V rocket REALLY rocked! You can actually still see Apollo 18 lying on its side in exhibit at the Houston Space Center. Due to budget cuts in the space program and lack of interest, it never was launched.

[Up2Late]

18. I would have LOVED to have seen a Saturn V launch in person...

...I think I was about 10 when the last one was launched.

They have a Saturn V at KSC also, and I found another part (second stage I think) at a NASA plant near New Orleans with Google Maps too! Just Google NASA and New Orleans, then Zoom in, it's right out front near the entrance.

[cureautismnow]

19. Interesting. Is it the Michoud Assembly Facility ?

I get 497 hits for NASA and New Orleans on Google Maps!

[Up2Late]

21. You got it! Here's a link that I think will take you right to it

<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113079982360069943979.000434bc026d9eb4aa108&ll=30.023915,-89.920161&spn=0.001568,0.002511&t=h&z=19&om=1>

It's the First stage, btw.

Another fun fact, if you zoom out a little, you can see the NASA facility was built on top of an old Airport (you can see bits and pieces of the old runways).

[cureautismnow]

22. That's awesome!

Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:

[Up2Late]

8. Press to MECO

All is Go!

[Up2Late]

9. Main Engine Cut-off

All still Go!

[karlrschneider]

10. 20 secs to MECO

MECO, tank separation Okay
:toast:

[Up2Late]

11. External tank separation Good!

All is go!

[johnnie]

12. Beautiful

:patriot:

[Up2Late]

13. Thank goodness, I can start breathing again.

:applause: :patriot:

[Cabcere]

20. I'll be crossing my fingers for them until they land.

:hi: I was born the day the Challenger went down, so I always worry a little about the shuttle crews. :shrug: I hope they'll be OK. :hug:

[Blue_Tires]

17. grrrr....sorry i missed this