STS-125 Shuttle Launch

Llywellyn

Had the opportunity to view the shuttle launch on Monday, May 11, and I'm thrilled I could do so before there aren't any more to see. I was really surprised by how bright it was!

We were at the East Causeway, the far end that's about 7 miles from the launch pad. I rented a 600mm lens for the occasion, and it was so worth it.

First to give some perspective on how far away we were from pad 39A. I've circled the blur that is the shuttle:


And this is how close the big glass got me:


I triggered the 600mm remotely and continuously so I could actually watch the launch, then I switched to my wide angle to get that awesome arc of smoke across the sky:




And since I was bored waiting to depart my hotel room this morning, I threw together a short movie of all the 600mm stills I shot of the launch sequence:
<object height="360" width="638">


<embed src="http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/ria/ShizVidz-2008120101.swf&quot; flashvars="s=ZT0xJmk9NTM2OTg5OTA0Jms9V1F1Z1omYT04MTgxNTQ3X3BiclhuJnU9YmxhY2tjYXRwaG90bw==" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="360" width="638"></object>

All in all, a very memorable experience. Loved being there.

Thanks for stopping by! :thumb

Richard

clap What a blast!

KevXman

Wow! I'm envious. Beautiful photos as well!
— Kevin

CWSkopec

Super cool, Kerry!!

What program did you use to put the video together?

ian408

That was pretty cool. I do think the stills to movie thing was neat. Especially when you see it go so bright

Llywellyn

Thanks, all! I'm hoping I'll get to see one more before it's retired...and hopefully 4 miles closer.

CWSkopec wrote:

What program did you use to put the video together?

iMovie, only because it came included on my Mac.

ian408 wrote:

That was pretty cool. I do think the stills to movie thing was neat. Especially when you see it go so bright

The brightness really took me by surprise. Everyone talks about the sound, but way before the sound hits you, you get this sudden, intense brightness. I'm sure I sounded like an idiot—since I was literally surrounded by NASA people on the bus leaving the event—but when they asked what I thought, all I could say was, "I didn't expect it to be so bright!"

ian408

Llywellyn wrote:

The brightness really took me by surprise. Everyone talks about the sound, but way before the sound hits you, you get this sudden, intense brightness. I'm sure I sounded like an idiot—since I was literally surrounded by NASA people on the bus leaving the event—but when they asked what I thought, all I could say was, "I didn't expect it to be so bright!"

I think you're good here. My Ames friends have said as much when they've seen it.

DaddyO

You got very nice work done. thumb Would loved to have
been on hand myself to see the sites.

travelways

Wow... these photos are just fantastic!!!

- the second one is like coming from National Geographic - wonderful

pyry

Eeenvy.

Milan

Wow, amazing!
Thanks for sharing.

Awais Yaqub

Great Job !!!
thanks for taking and sharing them

dank-photo

Awesome!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Llywellyn

Thanks for the kind comments, all. Glad you've enjoyed them!

Panther

Howdy Kelly,

WOWSER, what stunning images, Thanks so much for sharing/showing them.

It must have been the thrill of a lifetime to see that in person.

Thanks again, Kindest Regards,

Craig