Spectacular Space shuttle launch video

[Streetrod]

If you are bit of a space geek like me then do yourself a favor and check out this video. The sheer majesty of a shuttle launch from these cameras is a sight to behold. The first half is close ups of the engines as they fire, the second half is of the shuttle in flight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFwqZ4qAUkE

[Eric Mc]

Shuttle matters tend to be discussed over in the "Science" forum so that video would have been flagged up over there a few years ago.

However, it is a great piece of filming with an authoritative commentary - explaining all sorts of aspects of a launch. It also highlights how complex the whole system was - and fragile.

[Dog Star]

Eric Mc said:

Shuttle matters tend to be discussed over in the "Science" forum so that video would have been flagged up over there a few years ago.

As opposed to something - especially in the context of this video - that is more relevant to this particular sub-forum?

I stopped even looking at the so-called science sub-forum due to it being such a pedantic, cliquey, adenoidal environment. I dare say others steer clear for the same reason.

[Eric Mc]

I would let others speak for themselves.

The Shuttle was always a bit of a "hybrid" in that it is part rocket, part spacecraft and part aeroplane/glider - so it fits into numerous categories I suppose.

I'm happy to talk Shuttle matters all day as I find it a fascinating topic. And I don't really mind which forum the discussion is in. I was just pointing the OP in the direction of where there are numerous threads already which feature discussions on the Shuttle which he might find interesting.

[Dog Star]

What always stands out for me is how much room there was inside it, especially the extra space outside the main cockpit. Things are starting to get back on track now with the Dragon - that thing looks like something out of 2001 inside.

[Eric Mc]

The cargo bay was designed specifically so that it could accommodate the Department of Defense's largest satellites - the KH11 spy satellites (essentially, downward pointing Hubble Space Telescopes).

NASA had never really wanted a cargo bay that big because they knew it would create all sorts of structural and aerodynamic issues - and they were right.

The manned Dragon capsule has a smaller interior volume than the crew compartment of the Shuttle - let alone the cargo bay.

[Krikkit]

Rocketry never gets old for me, the real stand-out of the shuttle is the SSME's - getting a super efficient HydroLox engine to burn so reliably is a real masterpiece.

[Eric Mc]

Indeed. Early on it was thought that the main engines would be the Achilles Heel of the system. In the end, other parts of the Shuttle’s design turned out to be more problematic.

[V41LEY]

Krikkit said:

Rocketry never gets old for me, the real stand-out of the shuttle is the SSME's - getting a super efficient HydroLox engine to burn so reliably is a real masterpiece.

The Wikipage for them is interesting. Operational temperature range is outstanding and the engineering on the gimbal system is impressive.

[48k]

Not sure if it has been posted on PH before as I don't read the Science forum but there's a great video on Youtube of a guy doing a talk on the re-entry and landing. He's not an astronaut but it's a really amusing and engaging talk, worth seeking out.

Edit: Found it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb4prVsXkZU

Edited by 48k on Monday 27th May 20:24