STS-129 Launch with Space Shuttle Atlantis on 11/16/2009

See the launch itself at 9:00 in to the video.

Space Shuttle Atlantis on a beautiful fall day. From T-9 to MECO

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Luis Bittar]

What are the compounds that hold the two pieces together @ 12:42?

[spacevidcast]

The two support arms in the front don't carry any thrust loads. Only yaw loads (keeps the orbiter's nose from shifting left or right). The larger supports in the background (near center of the shot) are 17" liquid hydrogen and oxygen feedlines with a ball-and-socket type of attachment. They have small pyrotechnics that detonate when it's time for the orbiter and tank to separate.

[TToadTv]

five russians disliked this cause they didnt go to the moon first

[ichbinsdoch]

The ignition of the main engines sounds great.

[Chad Snow]

09:54-9:58 on this video was an unavoidable Shuttle design flaw. The Office of Management and Budget "mandated" that NASA used less powerful solid boosters due to their lower projected development costs. Thus, the SRB O-rings had to absorb the entire force of the SSME's at ignition. This would not have been an issue if an all liquid design was used.  This is what causes the sway during SSME verification and caused Challengers tank to rupture, not NASA management.

[Chad Snow]

But the Russians did put the first satellite into space, the first man into space, the first animal into space, the first orbit of a person, the first woman into space, the first space walk, the first object to the moon, the first space station, the first photographs of Venus from the ground, the first lunar rover, the first closed cycle rocket engines,and the first space station water recycle system.

[253JONNYSTUART]

just before take-off at 09:57 all the gas and escaping smoke is being blown left (our left as of on video) but then just as the Rocket blasts off at 09:59 the smoke is then being blown out the right hand side (in the video)....what is the purpose of it being like that...why does that seem to be?

[Frank Piscitelli]

Sorry, I don't understand what you're asking....

[bubblinbrownsugar616]

They are in the process of making new Rockets and spacecraft that will be able to take humans to an asteroid and Mars. It's going to take time. It sucks to have to wait but oh well. The last thing that needs to be done is a mishap happing either during the trip or once humans get to Mars or an asteroid. Everything must work in perfect order.

[253JONNYSTUART]

just asking; what is stopping the gas and smoke from escaping out from behind the ET and space shuttle just before it lifts off?

[James Nolan]

Shut up Hitler.