STS-131 Launch Seen From The VAB Roof - Space Shuttle Discovery Liftoff

I shot this video from the roof of the 525 foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center during the launch of NASA's space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-131 to the International Space Station. NASA allows a very limited number of photographers onto the roof of the VAB, outside, to shoot shuttle launches. We set up on the eastern edge of the roof, about 20 feet or so from the edge (don't look down!!!) facing Launch Complex 39. From there, we can see the entire KSC and Space Coast landscape, including the shuttle launch complex, Launch Complex 39-B to the left (Ares I rocket), and complexes 37, 40 and 41 (Delta IV, Atlas 5 and Falcon 9 rocket launch pads). What may be the final nighttime shuttle launch was spectacular, bathing everything in light as bright as the afternoon Sun. The sound was incredible and made the roof of the VAB shake and bounce up and down. After launch, we could hear the cheers 500 feet below from the shuttle workers at the employee viewing area below us.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• STS-131
• sts131
• Discovery
• launch
• liftoff
• blastoff
• night
• nighttime
• dark
• space
• shuttle
• ISS
• space station
• VAB
• roof
• rocket
• launches
• NASA
• JAXA
• KSC
• Kennedy Space Center
• station
• international

[catmandu2008]

excuse my ignorance, but what is that large flame shooting out from the launch assembly? i've never seen that before, perhaps because of this angle of view. thx. PS - since the number of remaining shuttle launches are finite and few, anybody have a link to the present schedule of remaining launches? i think it's time to plan a trip - i have always wanted to see a launch, and now is the time to go and bring the kids. thx.

[spacearium]

@catmandu2008 The 3 remaining missions are STS-132 May 14, 2010, STS-134 July 29, 2010 and Sept. 16, 2010. Unless the program is extended, those are all that's left.

[Vanakatherock]

That is the view I wanted. My video was shot from the Astronaut Hall of Fame which was still a pretty good view. Is there any particular person you have to contact to get on top of the VAB? I'd like to shoot the last launch from there.

[spacearium]

@Vanakatherock I wish everyone could watch from teh VAB, but not even regular NASA employees are allowed. Only a few news media photographers are taken to the roof for launches. It would be great if everyone could watch from there though. It's breathtaking. The roof shakes even.

[giantsdude21]

howd u get on the roof? thats amazing i was at the visitors complex i posted a vid of the launch too

[spacearium]

@giantsdude21 NASA lets a limited number of news media photographers (& videographers) on the roof to shoot launches. Only 8 or so people can go. The wire services automatically get 4 spots and then the rest of us fight it out for the others. I was lucky enough to be one of them for this launch. Definitely the best view around.

[NextLvlProductions]

How long does it take for the shuttle to reach 300 Kmh ?

[Apollo5595]

8 People? How lucky!

[tasckal]

I saw this launch from the beach at New Smyrna. We too could see it for a full 8 minutes and I have to say it was the coolest thing I've ever seen!

[KronosIV]

@catmandu2008 The flame you mention is hydrogen burn off. During fueling, significant quantities of cryogenic hydrogen boil off to gas and must be directed away from the pad to prevent massing that would create an explosion hazard.

[Laguna4738]

Just out of curiousity....How did you go about getting on the roof? I know you said its for photographers only, but only from media outlets? magazines? etc?

Was there a certain process to go through to get this position? ANY Information is GREATLY appreciated! and Great video by the way!

[snidelyTooYou]

Interesting view of staging around 2:50. I also like the plume next to the smoke pillar at around 5:30. Thanks for sharing this!

[bfarling]

Awesome. We were in Titusville for the launch, not nearly as close, but we still found it awe-inspiring. I can only imagine how cool it was from this distance.

[mdr48371]

@catmandu2008 The flame burns off vaporizing H2 from the liquid H2 replenish. It is hard to see in daylight, but it's always there.

[pgpgsunrise2]

this was the most awesome launch i ever have seen with all the colors and that luck u that u can see it that good all the time and thank u 4 the great video

i will miss the old ladys when they stop in sep