STS-117 Space Shuttle Atlantis

After a long day spent at the KSC Visitor Complex we boarded our tour bus and were off to the Nasa causeway, a strip of land that provides the closest viewing for the general public. This is still ~6-7 miles away from the launch pad. Interestingly we were told that this distance was for our safety and that Nasa was not responsible for any 'inadvertent circumstance'.

We arrived at 4pm and launch wasn't until 7:38pm. Lots of people were already gathering but fortunately there were a few spots left at the front, so I grabbed one and lay roasting in the sun for about 3 hours!

As we got closer to launch time we would occasionally hear the Nasa channel broadcast on the PA system. Lots of 'have you checked this on page 2F?.. over..' 'Received check and confirmed.. over.'

Finally it was time and the sky was a beautiful blue with few clouds in the distance. As the final countdown kicked in, everyone stood up to watch. Just before launch you could see the Orbiter's three rockets kick in to burn off any residual hydrogen and at T-0, the main Solid Rocket Boosters kicked in and a cloud of exhaust engulfed the Shuttle. Slowly the Shuttle rose above this and shot upwards leaving a long tail of burning rocket fuel.


STS-117 Atlantis - We have lift off!

As the Shuttle soared upwards, the exhaust left a beautiful white cloud trail. Interestingly we were given warning that this contained hydrochloric acid, and if for some reason we came into contact with this, flash storm I guess, this would only cause minor skin irritation.


Silent until halfway up

As we were ~6-7 miles away from the launch pad, there no additional noise until the Shuttle was about half way up when the noise from takeoff finally reached us. The sound was stupendous, very big with a continual roar.


Leveling out

From takeoff the Shuttle quickly rotates so the external tank is on top with the Shuttle on the underside. This aligns with the positioning used during the initial low orbit. This looks like the Shuttle launch is in an arc with it leveling out the higher it gets.


SRB Detach

By two minutes into the launch the Shuttle is at ~150,000ft and the Solid Rocket Boosters detach and parachute back down to Earth for re-use. You could just see this with the naked eye.


Orbiter and main tank after SRB detach

It was an amazing experience. Was it worth all the waiting? Definitely. Would I do it again? Well now that I've seen it once I think I'll pass, unless I get the chance to see a night launch.

Shuttle and KSC Visitor Complex Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chungwebster/sets/72157600331773075/