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  Photo of the week 270 (January 2, 2010)

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Author Topic:   Photo of the week 270 (January 2, 2010)
heng44
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Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 01-02-2010 06:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for heng44   Click Here to Email heng44     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

This view of the launch of Shuttle mission STS-51I in August 1985 was made by mission specialist Ox van Hoften from inside Discovery's cockpit. He pointed the camera over his shoulder to shoot out the top cockpit windows and captured the steam cloud after main engine ignition.

Ed Hengeveld

robsouth
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Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005

posted 01-02-2010 10:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for robsouth     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Cool photo!

Tom
Member

Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-02-2010 10:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tom   Click Here to Email Tom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great shot, Ed...haven't seen that one before.

I remember how dark it was for that launch.

John Young had some comments later on as to the decision made to launch Discovery in those conditions.

joe bruce
Member

Posts: 129
From: Spokane, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 01-02-2010 06:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for joe bruce   Click Here to Email joe bruce     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very unususal photo. Great! Would love to have heard the sound from inside at that point.

I am surprised that the photo does not show any distortion from vibration. When the solids kick in I thought there was a lot of movement for the crew.

OV-105
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Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 01-02-2010 10:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
They launched right through a hole in a rain storm. If I remember right it started raining at Pad 39A right after SRB sep.

golddog
Member

Posts: 210
From: australia
Registered: Feb 2008

posted 01-02-2010 11:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for golddog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by joe bruce:
When the solids kick in I thought there was a lot of movement for the crew.
This photo appears to have been taken at the time of SSME ignition. Perhaps the solids had not yet ignited.

ASCAN1984
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Posts: 1049
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 01-03-2010 03:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ASCAN1984   Click Here to Email ASCAN1984     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If anyone is going to see Ox talk or write to him would be terrific to ask as about the story behind this. Can't have been a easy photo to take and stow the camera before ignition.

OV-105
Member

Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 01-03-2010 04:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for OV-105   Click Here to Email OV-105     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by ASCAN1984:
If anyone is going to see Ox talk or write to him would be terrific to ask as about the story behind this. Can't have been a easy photo to take and stow the camera before ignition.

It would not have been too bad back then, not being in the pumpkin suits they have now. Just being in the normal flight suit and vest (anyone remember what they were called?). I always liked the launch and entery helmets from 82 to 86.

Greggy_D
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Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 01-04-2010 10:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Plus he and Mike Lounge just woke up from a nap, sprawled out on Discovery's Aft Deck. They didn't think they were going to fly because it was raining cats and dogs. The radio call came in "GO for launch" and they had to hurry up, get in their seats, and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime.

STS-51-I will always hold a special place in my heart. Bill Fisher invited me down for the launch, and as a 15 year-old there was no finer experience. I had never met the man (and still haven't). We corresponded via mail starting in 1983. I need to dig some pics up from that weekend. The day before the launch, my family and I attended a pre-launch reception for family and friends at Patrick Air Force Base. Anna Fisher was the host of the party and Rick Hauck was also in attendance.

This August will be 25 years since the launch. Seems like yesterday.

hlbjr
Member

Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 01-05-2010 06:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for hlbjr   Click Here to Email hlbjr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Greggy_D:
Plus he and Mike Lounge just woke up from a nap, sprawled out on Discovery's Aft Deck. They didn't think they were going to fly because it was raining cats and dogs. The radio call came in "GO for launch" and they had to hurry up, get in their seats, and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime.

I didn't know they lounged around out of their seats and then strapped themselves into their seats before launch... Don't tell the closeout crew!!

Harvey Brown
Delray Beach, FL

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