Space Shuttle launch tonight...
Discussion
) you can try your own shuttle launch with 
J4MIE_P said:
tank slapper said:
Yes, the last one was STS-113 on 23rd Nov 2002.
No,STS-115 mission Atlantis went up on Sept 9th this year. I know this because I was at the Kennedy space centre during the preperations in August (when the launch was originally scheduled for) and saw it on the Launch pad and saw the crawler up close.
Yes, but that was a daytime launch. Eric was asking about the last night launch, which was the one I quoted.
tankerman24 said:
only four minutes left in this window , what happens if they dont make this window ?
They abort the launch and have to set it up for the next window. The problem is being correctly positioned once in orbit to intercept the ISS. If they launch at the wrong time, they won't have enough fuel to get there.
hammerwerfer said:
What is it with those planned holds?
From looking at this page, it seems that the holds are for non-time critical things to happen, and it gives a degree of flexibility. When the clock is running, at least in the later part of the countdown, it looks as though everything happens in a predetermined order and time.
Cuban said:
Awesome launch. 
Now, here is a question.
Just watched something pass north East to south west, not a normal aircraft path, no sound either.
With it being this low still, would be expect to only see the glow
or might we see other lights on it?
I've watch it in orbit before, but never this soon after launch,
so, coincidence, or shuttle?
Now, here is a question.
Just watched something pass north East to south west, not a normal aircraft path, no sound either.
With it being this low still, would be expect to only see the glow
or might we see other lights on it?
I've watch it in orbit before, but never this soon after launch,
so, coincidence, or shuttle?
That is the wrong way for the shuttle. It would also be quite low in the sky as its path is quite far south.
bobthemonkey said:
ah but the SSME's (space shuttle main engines) burn liquid oxygen and liquid huydogen - no Carbon in sight, (apart from maybe the solid rocket boosters) - unlike saturn which burnt liquid oxygen and kerosene
Aluminium as fuel, Ammonium Perchlorate as oxidiser, a little Iron Oxide as a catalyst and some glue to hold it together.
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