[The Comedian]

OK, I see what you mean.

That makes sense if the image is basically a time exposure capturing every event from launch to expiration of the booster(s) of all stages.

You're asserting, though, that this crazy-a$$ missle's trajectory, spinning like a top, actually made it into low earth orbit where gravity didn't deform the perfectly circular spiral swirl resulting when the nozzle locked hard to one side and expended the remainder of its fuel, right?

Seems a miracle that it made it into space, considering the deformation of flight path apparent from lift off onward. Also, there is no downward drift to the background spiral which one would expect if the expelling body was still in motion, either following a sub-orbital trajectory, or falling to earth.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[paulycy]

where gravity didn't deform the perfectly circular spiral swirl

The lack of deformation of the pattern is where I balk too. Growing up in southern california we viewed *lots* of rocket and missile trails from Vandenburg AFB and none ever came even close to maintaining a shape for more than an instant.

If someone wants to propose that this still image was taken at the most incredibly opportune instant then I could maybe buy it after having seen the youtube explanation, etc. But I'm still having trouble accepting this completely. It just seems too perfect over too long a time. But....?

[Kimberly GG]

“OK, I see what you mean.

That makes sense if the image is basically a time exposure capturing every event from launch to expiration of the booster(s) of all stages.

You’re asserting, though, that this crazy-a$$ missle’s trajectory, spinning like a top, actually made it into low earth orbit where gravity didn’t deform the perfectly circular spiral swirl resulting when the nozzle locked hard to one side and expended the remainder of its fuel, right?

Seems a miracle that it made it into space, considering the deformation of flight path apparent from lift off onward. Also, there is no downward drift to the background spiral which one would expect if the expelling body was still in motion, either following a sub-orbital trajectory, or falling to earth.’

Hot dang! I was just thinking the SAME thing!!! ;)