STS-126 Shuttle Launch 11-14-08 night

2 minute view of space shuttle Endeavour lift-off from Kennedy Space Center - beautiful night launch with rising moon. When ignition happened, it was like a second sun had appeared. Look for the shakey camera 20 seconds into launch: shock waves from the launch reached our location 3.1 miles to the West.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• shuttle
• launch
• Endeavour
• STS-126
• night
• space

[phdcareerguy]

RJY4356 - Thank you for that correction.

You mentioned that you've seen the "halo effect" on other video clips? Can you direct me to one? I really would love to see it again...

[phdcareerguy]

RJY4356 - The "Aww" from the crowd was when the vehicle punched through a thin layer of cirrostratus clouds - probably around 30,000 altitude. It was going Mach 6-8 at this point and, as it passed through, the bow shock wave from the vehicle opened a perfectly circular hole in the clouds - like a door to heaven. It was totally unexpected and was, without a doubt, the most awesome detail of this remarkable launch. Glad you liked it!

[phdcareerguy]

Thnak you all for your kind comments. One of the things I *love* about this footage is how the sound from the engines rattles the camera about 30 seconds into launch.  The camera was a Canon IXY 1000, resting on a concrete ledge.

The sound was not at all what I expected: not a dull roar but rather a sharp succession of pops - like multiple fireworks going off all at once. It shook my shirt - I could feel the pressure on my chest. Awesome!

[phdcareerguy]

mmorgan09 - Yes, we were watching from the VIP area - 5th floor of one of the administration bldgs.

[anonkll]

it seriously looks like the sun just came up

[nick0912nascar]

AMAZING!!!!!!!! I am for once speechless

[cocoabeachdoc]

Beautiful video!!!

[RJY4356]

I just now saw this reply, sorry... I remember a similar effect on a previous night launch 2 years ago, STS-116 in December 2006 at almost the same exact point, lighting up the cloud deck similarly near 1 minute into the flight. Ill see if I can find a clip.

[natsannho]

Very nice video of the launch. Amazing sound.

[RJY4356]

NO no no, lol...Ive seen all the shuttle launches and I can tell you that it ain't doing Mach 6 at 1 minute in...try about Mach 1.5 lol. It hits Mach 1 at about 40 seconds. They are usually going Mach 4 by the time the SRBs separate. Yeah I did see on some of the video replays the halo effect at that point.

[RJY4356]

The sound at :42-:44 is amazing!!! Love how this is so unique, not the standard video..love the vibration in the camera! I assume the awws were from the bright halo it caused when it passed through that cloud deck at about +1 minute.