STS-133: Pilot point of view of Discovery's last launch

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Discovery's final liftoff to space as captured by a camera positioned in pilot Eric Boe's window (Window 4). The view shows Discovery's nose and the top of the external tank as the vehicle makes the 8.5 ride into orbit.

Video credit: NASA TV

Category:

Science & Technology

[impy81]

Where the action is:

1:23 Shuttle Main Engine Start

1:29 Booster ignition and Liftoff

3:35 Booster seperation

10:06 Main Engine Cutoff

10:13 External Tank seperation

...and after this, enjoy the Silence :)

pls correct me, if something's wrong.

[amgen52]

@Hollywood115F16 These camera shots are never shown live. They are recorded on tape and transmitted to Nasa on the 1st or 2nd day of the mission. Same with landings. Except for pilots point of view shown thru the HUD. 51L did not have this set up.

[Hollywood115F16]

I hate to bring this up, but I cant help but wonder what it would have looked like had Challenger carried a camera like this on 51-L. I know in reality, power to it would have been cut at the moment of the breakup, but the view would have been terrifying for sure.

[MichaelCox]

@aimhigh59

Thanks for the info, lol I thought they looked like potato chip bags or something.

[aimhigh59]

The white bags coming off soon after launch are FRCS rain covers. On the ground they are to keep rain accumulation from entering the throat of the thrusters. The covers are designed with flaps or pockets to allow the air to pull them off after launch.

[dnijpels]

@thawtprahsess It's actually the protection that covers the thrusters at the launch pad.

[thawtprahsess]

Cool video!

But whats with all the littering at around 1:36?

[sledger25]

awesome

[sledger25]

Thats awesome!!!!

[TalksWithDirt]

Very very very very cool!