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Author
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Topic: STS-118: August 8, 6:36 p.m. EDT
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-08-2007 02:55 PM
   
The Long Road to SpaceThe countdown to STS-118 launching today is proceeding smoothly, and there's only a 10 percent chance of weather prohibiting a liftoff at 6:36 p.m. EDT. The 22nd flight to the International Space Station, STS-118 will be the first flight for Endeavour since 2002. You can follow the launch live on NASA TV, as well as through launch blogs by NASA, SPACE.com and Spaceflight Now. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 05:33 PM
Godspeed Endeavour ! "I've got the screen up now and boy that view is TREMENDOUS !" |
LoneStarScouter
unregistered
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posted 08-08-2007 05:54 PM
Wow!!! What a launch!!! I am so proud of our space program. This is a wonderful day for all of us involved in Challenger Learning Center projects as well.. Goooo Endeavour!!! |
ApolloAlex
Member Posts: 390
From: Yeovil, England
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 08-08-2007 06:17 PM
Hi folks,I just watched the launch on the FOX network on SKY and on NASA TV,wow what a launch,i`m hoping to be there myself for STS-120 in October to watch one first hand i can`t wait ! Cheers,
Alex. ------------------
"Why dont you fix your little problem and light this Candle?"
Edited by ApolloAlex |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 06:21 PM
I had an odd feeling watching the STS-118 launch on TV in my home. There is definitely an extra dimension to a launch on TV when you saw the last one live at KSC! To anyone fortunate enough to have been there on the Causeway, please forgive me if I suggest that the weather didn't look as good...perhaps a bit hazier? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-08-2007 06:44 PM
 More pictures: The long road to space... Beautiful launch! Go Endeavour! Go STS-118! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 08-08-2007 06:47 PM
Yes! the camera onboard the E.T. is really something cool! The E.T. jettison and the flip maneuver are amazing!Simply beautiful! Chris. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 08:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by LoneStarScouter:
This is a wonderful day for all of us involved in Challenger Learning Center projects as well..
Agreed. I watched the launch from inside a Challenger Center mission control today, and it was intensely moving - felt like another part of the Challenger legacy being fulfilled. |
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-08-2007 09:26 PM
Those few seconds just after the "Go at throttle up!" call brought mist to my eyes thinking of Barbara Morgan picking up the torch for Christa at that point.Bruce |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 08-08-2007 09:32 PM
I found myself saying 'GO BARBARA! GO BARBARA' Like Bruce said, I was also thinking of Christa at the call "Go at throttle up", and I could see in my minds eye Christa passing the torch to Barbara.Randy
Edited by randy |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-08-2007 10:15 PM
I met Barbara in 1992 and told her I hoped to be there whenever she went into space. I was lucky and privileged to be watching today from Banana River. When the JSC PAO said Barbara was going into space "on the wings of a legacy," that made me a little emotional.I am not returning home til Friday. Any other CS members still here at the space coast planning any get togethers or something Thursday? |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 09:28 AM
"Go at throttle up!" was very difficult for me as well. I really believed I didn't take a breathe for almost five minutes! Meeting Barbara at different National Space Society events only added to my anxiousness! |
irish guy
Member Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 08-09-2007 09:53 AM
A wonderful evening spent watching the launch here in Ireland.On the internet,and great coverage from Sky News with almost 2 hours.looking forward to some nice film on U.tube,and hope to see pics of the lauch on here from Tim and Ben also.Cant imagine life,without these events hope to see it for real in Oct.All the best from Ireland |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 08-09-2007 11:46 AM
Blackarrow, I was there and, yes, it was more than a bit hazy... and so hot & humid I halfway expected to see a little red guy with horns and a pointed tail at any moment!The launch was tremendous, (as usual!) and loud, but due to the haze it was difficult to follow Endeavour after SRB separation. But it was a great feeling knowing that Morgan made it to space along with the other six brave astronauts. And I think there must have also been at least one extra soul, if not seven, going along for the ride too. I feel extremely privileged to have been there. The rest of the day was fine, though really too hot and crowded. It seems the closer we get to the final shuttle launch in 2010 the more people show up to watch a launch. KSC was PACKED with people. I brought one of my sisters and two of my nephews, all of whom had been there at least four times for various events before and have seen & done everything there is to do there at the visitor center...except the Shuttle Launch Experience, thank goodness! We all rode it twice and everyone loved it. After that our main concern was to stay cool while awaiting departure to the causeway. We went to the Orbit food court for a bite to eat and had to wait in line well over 40 minutes! And that was after waiting 30 minutes in the G Force Grill line with only taking a few steps forward! We found it was that way for every single spot serving food and/or beverages! KSC should really consider making many more food & beverage options available during launch days as it will only get worse in the future, especially with two more hot August launches scheduled. Because of the launch KSC had the usual stage set up on the grass north of the Rocket Garden for the Astronaut Encounter. First thing Al Worden did when on the covered stage was excuse himself from the mike to take off his jacket! I wish they had kept the Astronaut Encounter inside the air-conditioned Quest for Life auditorium they've been using for a while now. The amount of people in attendance outside on the lawn would have easily fit inside and been far more comfortable. But Worden was a trooper and spoke about 15 minutes about the differences between the way astronauts live on the space shuttle and what Scott, Irwin & he experienced during the Apollo 15 mission. He also mentioned that he is now twice as old as he was then! And while standing in that static G Force Grill line earlier I met my friend Big Jon McBride, who was passing through for a meeting. He was kind enough to spend a few minutes with my sister & nephews. It was a special day and a special launch. I'm very glad I was there to be a part of it. I'm also feeling cooler already while looking forward to the rest of the year's two launches this fall! |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 04:48 PM
I've just had the pleasure of watching the I.S.S. blazing across the sky above my back garden, closely followed by the slightly less brilliant "Endeavour." As I said to my wife: "How often do you get to see ten astronauts flying over our house?"And they'll be back (clouds permitting!) in about 70 minutes! |
trajan
Member Posts: 109
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-09-2007 05:47 PM
Great sentiments, Blackarrow!We were obviously both in our backgardens at the same time! I persuaded my girlfriend to allow us to interrupt the DVD we were watching, (Babel - very good!), and go out to watch TWO crewed spacecraft in the sky at the same time. I was really excited, and, the best bit - so was she! Cheers, Jason |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 06:31 PM
"Go at throttle up" makes me pause EVERY time !*
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James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-10-2007 12:33 PM
Here are some of my 118 launch photos:
http://www.freewebs.com/jnbrown/myshuttlephotography.htm As always, it was good to see Robert, Ben, Liz, and others. James |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-10-2007 06:19 PM
Just returned home from viewing the launch of STS-118 - Endeavour.
It was nothing short of spectacular from Titusville.
That was the 15 shuttle launch I was able to witness from Kennedy Space Center...not too bad for a New Yorker...and it was just exciting as the first!
For anyone who has not yet seen a shuttle launch in person, do yourself a favor and make plans to do so.
The experience is unreal!!! |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-10-2007 09:38 PM
Great shot Robert and very nice as always for Jimmy! Boy what an exhausting week, I couldn't even think straight. And the hotter-than-normal temperatures the past seven days have been absolutely brutal. But two spectacular launches. Great seeing Liz, Jimmy and Tom C. (and Tom's friend if he is a reader here). I hope I didn't leave anyone out. Sorry I didn't get to meet up with you Tom L. but next time we should for sure. I have posted my photos too: http://www.launchphotography.com/STS-118.html I would love for anyone to post theirs, I like to see all the angles and views. ------------------
-Ben LaunchPhotography.com |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-11-2007 09:35 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom:
For anyone who has not yet seen a shuttle launch in person,do yourself a favo(u)r and make plans to do so.
The experience is unreal!!!
I couldn't agree more. I'm interested to see Tom's praise of a launch seen from Titusville. Before attending the UACC weekend at KSC in June I got involved in a mini-debate on CS above whether it would be better to watch the launch of STS-117 from the Visitors' Center (closer, but no view of launch-pad or lift-off)or to go to Titusville (shuttle in full view but further away). In the event the organizers solved the problem (bless their cotton socks!)by getting us all passes to the NASA causeway, where the view is awesome. Having seen one shuttle launch I thought that trying to go back to see another might risk anticlimax (delays, no access to causeway, clouds, haze, etc) but one answer to this might be to watch a NIGHT launch from Titusville. I know that it is difficult to predict launch-dates a year ahead, let alone times of launches, but is there any way to estimate whether there might be one or more night launches before the shuttle retires? (A launch shortly before dawn or shortly after sunset might be even better). By that, I mean are there are criteria they use, ie. avoiding mid-afternoon launches in mid-summer; avoiding night launches in mid-winter, etc.) Anyone care to guess whether there might be any more night-launches? |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-11-2007 10:28 AM
Blackarrow...I too was debating whether to view the launch from the KSC Visitor Center or from Titusville, and was thrilled that we viewed it from Titusville.
Being able to see the main engines ignite, and the first burst of "orange-gold" fire from the solids made it all worth it.
While the sound takes slightly longer to reach you, I would much rather see the "entire" launch.
As far as night launches, the next three shuttles are currently scheduled as follows:
STS 120 October 20 @ 12:50 pm
STS 122 December 6 @ 4:30 pm
STS 123 February 14 @ 12 Noon
Edited by Tom |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-11-2007 10:55 AM
One delay to any launch by a week or two, and it becomes a night launch, or with luck a twilight launch. Just have to hope. It would be highly unlikely for there not to be several more in the remaining 12-14 flights since they are all linkup flights. |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-11-2007 12:55 PM
is December 6 launch time offical or tentative?where were these launch time found since NASA doesn't release to the public until near launch date. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-11-2007 12:56 PM
Thanks, Tom and Ben. I think it would be nice to step out of a Titusville hotel, watch a launch briefly turn night to day, then step back into the hotel to toast the crew with a suitable quantity of "falling-down water." No long wait in the heat, no traffic jams, and if the launch is put back a day, just repeat the above steps.Having said that, I very much enjoyed the atmosphere during countdown on the causeway in June, and the traffic jam on the way back to Cocoa Beach didn't dull anyone's enthusiasm...but if the launch had been delayed, say, 2 or 3 days, repeating THOSE steps might have become wearisome. |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-11-2007 01:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by lunarrv15:
is December 6 launch time offical or tentative?where were these launch time found since NASA doesn't release to the public until near launch date.
I would say tentative in that it's still 4 months away.
This iinformation is courtesy of: www.spaceflightnow.com Click on "launch schedule" for information on upcoming shuttle as well as unmanned launches. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 08-11-2007 02:38 PM
The launch times are not secret anymore. They reversed that security concern after Columbia.I think the reason they don't post the times until it is "the next launch" is because the time can change several minutes as the station's orbit changes. The Oct. 23 (it is not Oct. 20 by the way, as they announced the official change on Wednesday) time is about 11:45am, plus or minus say 20-30 minutes. |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-11-2007 05:50 PM
Seeing this launch was even more special and emotional for me since I had the privilege of meeting (for the second time) Jane Smith Wolcott, Lorna Onizuka, and Marcia Jarvis in the Saturn 5 building prior to launch. All of them were so enthusiastic about Barbara's mission, and space in general, that they inspired me yet again. I have been a contributor and supporter of Challenger Center since the beginning so it was great to be able to thank these ladies again for their work.I am disappointed at speculation there might not be another night time shuttle launch. I had hoped to see one more but perhaps I will just have to live with the memories of the magnificent night launches I've seen in the past. I did not know it is official that 120 has been shifted to Oct 23. NASA is trying to cost me vacation days.  I would have preferred Oct 20, if I am to consider the trip, since that is a Saturday. But of course I know these things happen. |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-11-2007 06:26 PM
I vote for night launches.The thrusters brightening the area like turning on a dim switch as it launch eastward going over the coast line - STS-72 ...sigh |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-12-2007 02:12 PM
NASA has posted a high definition video of the launch of STS-118. |
DCCollector
Member Posts: 227
From: Washington, DC USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 08-12-2007 03:17 PM
Just returned from KSC myself, where we also had the opportunity to see our first Shuttle launch! I was able to take my parents, both retired school teachers, to the launch viewing site at the Saturn V Center. The launch was especially meaningful with Barbara Morgan on board. It was an amazing moment when the crowd cheered after "Go at throttle up!" |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-12-2007 04:59 PM
Funny how I didn't even have much reaction at the go at throttle up call. I kind of wondered why people applauded. Never occurred to me that they were thinking of that point in the ascent of 51-L. I guess I just feel more relief at SRB sep, then the negative return call.The HD video is extraordinary! So sharp and clear. I guess I should get a TV with HD. But it looks great on the computer monitor too. |
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