Space Shuttle Discovery Launch, from 30,000 Ft!

I was flying from Tampa to Charlotte, on 2/24/2011, US airways flight 1543, and the pilot comes on the intercom and says "In about one Minute, the space shuttle discovery will be launching, and you will be able to see it just behind the right wing (which is where I was sitting!)

This is the final mission for the Discovery Shuttle. When it returns after its eleven-day mission, it will be mothballed and shipped off to the Smithsonian.

Seeing this was amazing. I think it was going away from us, and you could see when the solid rockets cut out (i think that's what it was) and then you couldn't see the ship anymore. Can any experts tell me if they were in orbit at that point, or was it just that the atmosphere blocked the view?

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Space shuttle
• space shuttle discovery
• NASA
• Launch from the air

[pamelawwilkins]

That's cool Jarris. Glad you go to see it.

[MargaretLeeWilkins]

ha ha ha the lady voice in the background!

[MargaretLeeWilkins]

that is crazy jarris!

[MargaretLeeWilkins]

miniature satellite dishes