#atlantis launch

[rjbailey]

STS-27, Orbiter Atlantis, Liftoff by NASA on The Commons Via Flickr: Space Shuttle Atlantis takes flight on its STS-27 mission on December 2, 1988, 9:30 a.m. EST, utilizing 375,000 pounds thrust produced by its three main engines. The STS-27 was the third classified mission dedicated to the Department of Defense (DoD). After completion of mission, Orbiter Atlantis landed December 6, 1988, 3:36 p.m. PST at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Image Number: 8898508 Date: December 2, 1988

[alxndrasplace]

(NASA)  Why would the shadow of a space shuttle launch plume point toward the Moon? In early 2001 during a launch of Atlantis, the Sun, Earth, Moon, and rocket were all properly aligned for this photogenic coincidence. First, for the space shuttle's plume to cast a long shadow, the time of day must be either near sunrise or sunset. Next, just at sunset, the shadow is the longest and extends all the way to the horizon. Finally, during a Full Moon, the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the sky. Just after sunset, for example, the Sun is slightly below the horizon, and, in the other direction, the Moon is slightly above the horizon. Therefore, as Atlantis blasted off, just after sunset, its shadow projected away from the Sun toward the opposite horizon, where the Full Moon just happened to be.

[nothings-monstered-blog-blog]

the final launch of Atlantis.

sorry for the excited European cheering in the background. and for the wind, that bridge was blustery. the cheering halfway through was when the launch rumble reached us.

For you, Dave, and everyone unable to attend

[tonyaanjean]

Atlantis STS-132 on Flickr.

Taken last year. The end of an era today! Godspeed Atlantis.

[tonyaanjean]

untitled on Flickr.