STS-51 Launch

[Simonkosciow]

Thanks for this video... I was actually there for this launch. Brings back memories.. Thanks again

[krosero]

The long-range cameras got some beautifully clear images.

[jjlucash]

This launch footage was used in an episode of "Touched by an Angel."

[Q992]

Good HD

[lila1253]

the shuttle loooked like it started off slower than other previuos shuttle flights

[Connecticut2009]

I love that part of the astronaut said when launching Roll Program is as dead as if this might be tired this astronaut killed in the takeoff

[nakazatoGTR]

hey @ 1:58, flames lick the ass of the external tank, is this safe?

does it still happen to later shuttles?

[WojciechSz]

It isn't flame. It's condensation effect.

[mianbentley]

Are you sure? Because I think when the SRB contrail expands as the vehicle speeds up, the heat tends to char the foam near the bottom. I don't know if its related to the prandtl-glauert singularity or max-q.

[WojciechSz]

Well, it was more guess than answer. You may be right.

[nakazatoGTR]

uhm was this the shuttle flight before

sts-51L?

i researched on challenger, and found out that one thiokol engineer warned that cold weather launch is dangerous, since he firsthand saw ice damaged on the previous discovery launch SRB field joint was near failure.

[nathanmoeller]

No. This was in 1991, I believe, several years after Challenger. You're thinking of one of the flights Discovery made in 1985.  But you are correct on that matter. Engineers knew the data but NASA ignored it.

[Coastergeekperson04]

This is the REAL STS-51, in 1993. In the late 80's they changed it to a weird system but when they cancelled California launches they changed it back.

[Yutzwagon404]

What California launches??

[WojciechSz]

Unmanned military and commercial missions to the polar orbit. And it's called Vandenberg Air Force Base.

[ugowar]

You are correct, it's actually SRB exhaust plume recirculation. Recirculation happens to all launch vehicles (doesn't matter if they're liquid or solid) and is more severe if you have more than one engine because their plumes tend to collide and recirculate more readily once you get high enough. This (as well as plume radiant base heating) is why rockets need hefty heat shielding in the aft section to protect from the flames.

[ugowar]

Probably the most spectacular examples of plume recirculation are Saturn V long range tracking shots. You can clearly see engine ehxaust engulfing the lower half of the first stage!

[sensoryhouse]

Those shots are some of the most amazing video footage ever taken.

[nathanmoeller]

Correct. When combined with sunlight and/or the light of the booster flame, that's the effect that is seen.

[WojciechSz]

Yeah, me too. The best space launch commentary by George Diller. Really cool.

[mianbentley]

My favorite too...

[jjlucash]

Been wanting to see this one!