Author Topic: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)  (Read 93570 times)

Offline robertross

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #160 on: 11/16/2009 10:01 pm »

If you ever had any doubt! You must see a launch for real! But you'd better hurry to see a shuttle. Only 5 left!

I know I know...next year!

Nice pics everyone.

Offline mike robel

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #161 on: 11/16/2009 10:27 pm »
@JackB - Where were you?  I was on the causeway at the 2nd Merritt Island exit (counting from the mainland).

Offline brianc

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #162 on: 11/17/2009 12:21 am »
I posted a few choice shots from the launch-

http://our.rocketryplanet.com/photo/albums/sts129-launch-from-vab-turn

And attached is one not included in that gallery.
« Last Edit: 11/17/2009 12:33 am by brianc »

Offline wjbarnett

Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #163 on: 11/17/2009 02:03 am »
@JackB - Where were you?  I was on the causeway at the 2nd Merritt Island exit (counting from the mainland).
We were on the causeway where KSC VC buses people in with LTT tickets. That's navigation marker #37 directly between us and the pad.
« Last Edit: 11/17/2009 02:10 am by wjbarnett »
Jack

Offline craigcocca

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #164 on: 11/17/2009 03:02 am »
So the bad news was that I was stuck working at a conference in Orlando today at launch time while here on my first trip to Florida. :(  The good news is that the launch was surprisingly visible from the parking lot of my hotel!  In fact, I was really surprised at how well defined the exhaust plume and smoke trail were given the 59.1 miles between me and KSC. 

Boy does that thing head upstairs in a hurry!  And the orange part of the exhaust plume looked like it was about 10+ shuttle lengths long, which is something you really don't get a sense of while watching on NASA TV!  I think I'll definitely try to come back for one more launch before the program ends...
-- Craig

"Why don't you fix your little problem and light this candle..."

Offline krusty

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #165 on: 11/17/2009 08:10 pm »
Joined just to post these.  If there's a more appropriate forum, I'm sure the mods can fix my guess.

These were taken at ~2:26pm EST, ~80mi north of Canaveral, from an altitude of ~25K ft.  Pilot was nice enough to deviate right so we could see the whole show.


Offline MKremer

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #166 on: 11/17/2009 09:52 pm »
Nice! A different vantage point we don't often get to see.

Welcome to the forum!

Online ChrisC

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #167 on: 11/18/2009 02:25 am »
Joined just to post these.  If there's a more appropriate forum, I'm sure the mods can fix my guess.  These were taken at ~2:26pm EST, ~80mi north of Canaveral, from an altitude of ~25K ft.  Pilot was nice enough to deviate right so we could see the whole show.

Jesus, that may be the best First Post ever!  Congratulations.  I've seen the VAB from the air, but ... oh my god, what luck, and how nice of the pilot to do that (and risk annoying ATC in the process).

Also, hey hey kids!
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Offline Oystein

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #168 on: 11/18/2009 02:26 am »
Hi!
What a launch. Think it was even louder than the STS-125 launch.
Here's some of my pictures from the NASA Causeway.
Hope you like them.
Spacecraft retirement homes I've visited:
[x] Space shuttle Enterprise @ Dulles
[x] Space shuttle Enterprise @ Intrepid
[x] Space shuttle Discovery @ Dulles
[x] Space shuttle Atlantis @ KSC
[x] Space shuttle Endeavour @ LA
[x] All Apollo capsules
[x] All Gemini capsules
[ ] All Mercury capsules

Online ChrisC

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #169 on: 11/18/2009 02:26 am »
For the record, here's what was transcribed from the briefing over in the live thread:

LeRoy: "Boosters back on Thursday, open assessment on Friday. Sent a chase plane out to watch the boosters and follow both boosters, and focus on one booster to splashdown."

So I won't get to see the boosters come in, as I'm driving down Friday.  Oh well, now I start hoping for landing!
« Last Edit: 11/18/2009 02:27 am by ChrisC »
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Offline rdale

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #170 on: 11/18/2009 02:31 am »
For the record, here's what was transcribed from the briefing over in the live thread

The estimated times were posted in an article this morning at http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/11/sts-129-tps-inspections-fd2-photos-extremely-clean-et-133/

Offline Nick

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #171 on: 11/18/2009 01:21 pm »
Thanks. I guess that means they'll go through the lock an hour or so earlier. I may go down today and see if I can find any more out.

Offline LostInSpace

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #172 on: 11/18/2009 09:12 pm »
SRBs are coming thru the port right now

Offline spacegirlnj

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #173 on: 11/19/2009 01:36 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...







SRB Sep:

Offline robertross

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #174 on: 11/19/2009 01:55 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...


Absolutely fantastic!!

What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?

Offline spacegirlnj

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #175 on: 11/19/2009 02:07 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...


Absolutely fantastic!!

What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?

Thank you!!

Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens.  Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it. 

The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away.  I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses!  My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!

Offline jacqmans

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #176 on: 11/19/2009 02:35 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...

Is it possible to view the photos in High Resolution ???

Great photos, thanks
Jacques :-)

Offline robertross

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #177 on: 11/19/2009 02:38 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...


Absolutely fantastic!!

What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?

Thank you!!

Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens.  Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it. 

The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away.  I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses!  My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!

Cool, thanks.

yeah the Sigma 500mm F2.8 from just BEGS to be bought with a second mortgage...lol

My 300mm F4 would be dwarfed, even with my 2X tele. Need more glass!

For me, I need to hear it. Pictures are one thing (for sentimental value) but I want to feel and hear it as well...like basking in the sun.  :)

Offline spacegirlnj

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #178 on: 11/19/2009 02:49 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...

Is it possible to view the photos in High Resolution ???

Great photos, thanks


Thanks! I don't have the high res photos uploaded yet.  I'll see if I can upload them tonight and come back and post the links.

Offline spacegirlnj

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Re: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.)
« Reply #179 on: 11/19/2009 02:50 pm »
Had an amazing view watching from the causeway...here's some photos...


Absolutely fantastic!!

What sort of gear for those, if I may ask?

Thank you!!

Used a Canon Rebel XTi...500mm f/5 lens.  Used a tripod for the beginning part of launch and then when the shuttle got out of range just pulled the camera off the tripod and handheld it. 

The amount of amazing lenses on the causeway blew me away.  I wish I could see some of the shots these guys got with their behemoth lenses!  My 500mm looked like a baby compared to these guys!

Cool, thanks.

yeah the Sigma 500mm F2.8 from just BEGS to be bought with a second mortgage...lol

My 300mm F4 would be dwarfed, even with my 2X tele. Need more glass!

For me, I need to hear it. Pictures are one thing (for sentimental value) but I want to feel and hear it as well...like basking in the sun.  :)

Totally agree... being there is completely different! But I love having the photos to remember everything.

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