Space Launch System - Orion

[Sf_Manta]

The entire human race captured in a single picture.

[Ian974]

A phone on a lunch break not the ideal way to watch it, but also not a bad example of how much its all changed!
Didn't have audio on and wondered why the video cut out when earth disappeared.
Then realised of course it would, there's a moon in the way now!

[Eric Mc]

A big lump of rock is in the way.

[Kes Arevo]

Fantastic pics.

[generationx]

New “Earthrise”?

[Eric Mc]

Actually, "earthset" on this occasion. We'll get an "earthrise" image as the Orion spacecraft emerges from behind the moon.

We've had quite a few images like this, dating back to 1966 but not live and in such detail.

[Largechris]

Eric Mc said:

A big lump of rock is in the way.

I was gonna have a moan about them cutting away to the control room.

[Eric Mc]

For a lot of the Apollo missions, that's all we ever saw.

[Flooble]

That really looks like something from a science fiction show - very good quality images.

[Simpo Two]

Flooble said:

That really looks like something from a science fiction show - very good quality images.

Let the conspiracy theories start

[Eric Mc]

I've been waiting for this for over a decade. I always knew that once we got modern HD TV imagery from the moon it would be stunning. The next step will be to get such live TV imagery direct from the surface.

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

Flooble said:

That really looks like something from a science fiction show - very good quality images.

Let the conspiracy theories start

Don't even mention such nonsense - it only encourages them.

[46and2]

Camera orientation wise - what part of the spacecraft are we looking at and where is the camera?

[Eric Mc]

Nothing at the moment as NASA has ceased their broadcast. Other You Tube "live" images at the moment are real time animations based on live telemetry.

The live TV images are coming from a number of Go Pro cameras mounted on the extended solar panels. That allows us to see part of the body of the service module.

[Beati Dogu]

NASA released some photos of the mobile launch tower:



Scorched, but it’ll be ok.

The elevator doors on the other hand:

[RizzoTheRat]

Apologies that it's a Facebook link but can't find it elsewhere.

Interesting graphic of the path it's taking.
https://www.facebook.com/AstronautChrisHadfield/vi...

As a KSP fan I'm guessing for Gateway they'll do something similar with a plane change at apogee to a polar orbit?

[Eric Mc]

I think, during the Shuttle era, the pads were damaged on a regular basis. On one occasion, part of the concrete slab lining of the flame trench were ripped off and thrown around.

[Simpo Two]

Beati Dogu said:

NASA released some photos of the mobile launch tower:



Scorched, but it’ll be ok.

I like the little 'Danger' sign... just in case people couldn't work it out for themselves...

[Eric Mc]

People have died in and around launch pads so timely reminders are never out of place. People forget that the Space Shuttle killed more than the 14 crew who died on Challenger and Columbia.

[Beati Dogu]

Eric Mc said:

I think, during the Shuttle era, the pads were damaged on a regular basis. On one occasion, part of the concrete slab lining of the flame trench were ripped off and thrown around.

Yeah, some of the heat resistant bricks got flung as far as the perimeter fence.