Posted on 07/25/2005 4:24:13 PM PDT by OXENinFLA
We are much better than you. You will not win, we will. You will NEVER defeat us.
Here. Here. I couldn't help but think that no one will ever defeat us when I saw Discovery list off.
Should be able to watch external tank jettison in a second or two.
Shuttle Discovery Blasts Off
By MARCIA 'Let's Git It!' DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/space_shuttle;_ylt=AtegZHF1mPAcaGjtLXG7bNgTO7gF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGVna3NhBHNlYwNzc3JlbA--
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Discovery and seven astronauts blasted off Tuesday on America's first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster, ending a painful, 2 1/2-year shutdown devoted to making the shuttle less risky and NASA more safety-conscious.
At stake were not only the lives of the astronauts, but also America's pride in its technological prowess, the fate of the U.S. space program and the future of space exploration itself.
"Our long wait may be over. So on behalf of the many millions of people who believe so deeply in what we do, good luck, Godspeed — and have a little fun up there," launch director Mike Leinbach told the astronauts right before liftoff.
Space program employees and relatives of both the Discovery and Columbia crews watched nervously as the shuttle rose from its pad at 10:39 a.m., climbed into a hazy midsummer sky, pierced two decks of clouds, and headed out over the ocean in the most scrutinized launch in NASA history. Two chase planes and more than 100 cameras documented the ascent from every possible angle to capture any sign of flying debris of the sort that doomed the last flight.
The multitude of images will not be fully analyzed — and NASA will not give a final verdict on whether Discovery is safe to return to Earth — until halfway through the 12-day flight.
The fuel-gauge problem that thwarted a launch attempt two weeks ago did not resurface before liftoff, to NASA's great relief, and the countdown was remarkably smooth. The space agency had been prepared to bend its safety rules to get the shuttle flying.
I'm watching on foxnews.... good shots.
I don't get NASA or CSPAN3.
60 seconds to main engine cutoff.
YEA, AMERICA!!!
700 miles in no time at all...
That pic gave me such a jolt, like watching the one that blew up so long ago. It was a physical sickening feeling.
Coming up on main engine shutdown...
God speed.
main engine cutoff
The camera aboard the shuttle is a master stroke.
Leni
Jettison External tank, apparently a flawless ascent.
Jettison fuel tank
We have jettison of external tank!
Spaceflight Now.com
1446 GMT (10:46 a.m. EDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 35 seconds. The main engines beginning to throttle back to ease the force of gravity on the shuttle and astronauts.
External tank jettisoned! Cool!
You can watch it here...
http://news.yahoo.com/
Look to the right side of the page - * Live Video: Watch Discovery Launch
NASA TV via Yahoo!
"I saw the exhaust flames start to flicker"
Ditto, got worried there for a moment..
Main engine cutoff, stand by for fuel tank jettison.
SEPARATION! Looked very clean!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.