NASA STS-131 Space Shuttle Discovery Night Launch STS 131 4/5/10 HD

[JMChladek]

The SSME plume was unique on this one because sunlight was illuminating particles coming off the engine plumes. During a normal night launch, you don't see it since there is no sun to light it. A day launch doesn't show it either due to the blue sky. From the press site (where I was) it looked like a halo as we were behind the shuttle. It was truely a unique experience where the lighting was just right to show it that morning.

[John19182004]

very interesting video, could've done w/o the comments from "Stewie" but interesting perspective, nice to be able to follow it nearly all the way. Only time I've ever seen the SSME plume like that..

[Ridingdirty74]

HumanityWins, they go mostly straight up early in the flight to more or less minimize time in the atmosphere because air creates drag and heat at the speeds involved here. The flight path looks horizontal up high because the climb angle is much flatter and your point of view makes it more difficult to determine what's going on vertically. Think of it this way. The first 2 minutes are spent clearing most of the atmosphere, the last 6 minutes gaining oribital velocity and the last hlf of altitude

[HumanityWins]

it was going straight up, but the earth moved underneath it? thats why it looks like its going horizontal?:p

[Ridingdirty74]

Awesome, saw the one in Feb. from the NASA causeway If I could have known I'd rather have seen this one. MECO occurs roughly abeam Maryland etc. Do the math,....8+ minutes from lift off to the northeastern seaboard not Europe.

[rightdroite]

Great job!!! I was on the beach. With binoculars I was able to see when they shut the main engines off......over Europe!!!! the exhaust lingered for over an hour...there was no wind!!! perfect morning!!! And as a bonus we saw the Space Station orbit by 15 minutes prior to launch :-)

[Michelontube1]

That must be an amazing experience!

Just one hint for next time: manual focus...

[Neme85]

quanto vi invidio...

[maksphoto78]

I wonder what caused that cloud.

[Davidgojr]

Sweet video! I'm glad you captured the entire eight and a half minute ride to orbit. It is amazing how that exhaust plume changes with the sunrise.

[RJY4356]

It took 53 seconds for the sound to reach you so you must have been a good 10-11 miles west. It is STS-131 though, not STS-130.