Space Shuttle Atlantis

[KAT4DISNEY]

Last month while in FL we were able to view a space shuttle launch - something I had wanted to do since I was young and the program started! I had seen one other launch years ago from the Swan but that wasn't quite the same thing. Our visit coincided with the delayed launch of STS-125 - Atlantis which went up to service the Hubble Telescope.

During our trip the days were sunny and hot - up until the day of the launch. It started out sunny but beginning approx 1 hour prior to launch things started to get very hazy and overcast. The cloud cover was working it's way from west to east and we kept our fingers crossed that the launch would get off at it's scheduled time. And it did!

This being our first viewing we didn't know what to expect. I had done some online research and decided to head to the area of the Space View Park in Titusville. We found a nice open area just next to the park that also allowed my DSis who is in a wheelchair to get a good view. I elected to stay up by her rather than get down where nothing would have blocked my view so there are a few heads in the shots but nothing ever was completely blocked. And I liked the perspective I got when pulling back for a wider angle and having the launch watchers in the foreground.

Here's a few of the pictures. We were approximately 12 miles away from the launch pad. Most of the shots are with my A700 and 70-300 lens and a few with my P&S while we were waiting. I've mixed in a few crops too 'cuz a 300mm can only do so much at 12 miles!

Please forgive my post processing - it's not something I do often and the lighting conditions were difficult for me. I purposely reduced the exposure from what the camera metered b/c it made the shuttle stand out better against the overcast sky.

Set up and waiting with DBIL for the launch. Everytime I see this I think I need to talk to him about keeping a hood on his lens!

Launch Pad 39A. Thankfully someone helped us out on where Atlantis was. We were originally focusing on the back-up shuttle. We in turn were then asked many times where it would lift off from - I'm glad the info was correct!

Launch Pad 39B where Endeavor was waiting in case they needed to perform an emergency rescue. This was only the 19th time that two shuttles were on the launch pad simultaneously.

A few of the crowd in our little area.

Camera Heaven!

The Vehicle Assembly Building.

Engine Ignition.

Shuttle has already begun it's roll.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

More of the launch......

It was around this time that we heard the sound of the take-off. It was earth shaking and sis's wheelchair was rattling.

And 59 seconds later.....it's gone!

Then the mass exodus begins.

One last one of DNephew who trekked with me to/from the car parking spot we located. It started to rain when I was taking this picture so everything got off just in time although the big rains didn't start until several days later.

This was one of the coolest experiences of my life and I'd definitely do it again - traffic and all. Having watched many launches on TV one of the most surprising things was how quickly it happens. TV can track it so long that it seems like it goes on and on. My mother was watching this form our room at AKV and said she saw it for 2 1/2 minutes while we got 1 minute. Still - I didn't feel I made the wrong viewing choice.

It was approximately 3 hours to get the car, pick everyone up and get back to WDW but well worth it for everyone of us!!!

Eventually I'll do some additional processing - for one thing I think that with using some of the brushes with Lightroom that I can lighten up the foreground area and still keep the sky at a level I prefer to better see the shuttle. Working on something other than my 11" laptop screen might be a good idea too! Still, I thought I'd share our excellent afternoon - hope some of you enjoy!

Here's a link to all the launch photos if anyone wishes to view them: Atlantis Launch Slideshow

 

[Me!Thatswho]

Excellent pics and what a wonderful experience. Seeing how this launch was one of the last few remaining launches of the shuttles, I am truly jealous. Our 2006 trip coincided with a shuttle launch and we did attempt to get there to see it. Unfortunately there were a few accidents on the connecting route (can't think of the number) and we had to watch it from the car at about the mid-way point. But the view we had was nothing like the images you shared.

Thanks!

 

[Todd_H]

More of the launch......

Very cool! This is my favorite... love the perspective.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[rtphokie]

I'm heading down Thursday evening for the STS-127 launch on Saturday at 7am. We got launch viewing tickets through our senator and will be on the causeway about 6 miles from the pad.

I'll be bringing my Canon Rebel XT, borrowing a friend's Rebel XTs, and bringing a 100-300mm USM f 4.5-5.6, 55-200mm 4-5.6 and am renting a 400mm f/5.6L and a 1.4 x extender for the weekend along with a small tripod.

Any photo or other tips?

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

Thanks for sharing! Amazing pictures and what a great experience!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Excellent pics and what a wonderful experience. Seeing how this launch was one of the last few remaining launches of the shuttles, I am truly jealous. Our 2006 trip coincided with a shuttle launch and we did attempt to get there to see it. Unfortunately there were a few accidents on the connecting route (can't think of the number) and we had to watch it from the car at about the mid-way point. But the view we had was nothing like the images you shared.

Thanks!

Thanks! That's too bad that you couldn't make it closer. I can understand with all the traffic how accidents would happen - it is a bit crazy!

Very cool! This is my favorite... love the perspective.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Todd - I also really like that perspective and those were my favorite shots as well.

I'm heading down Thursday evening for the STS-127 launch on Saturday at 7am. We got launch viewing tickets through our senator and will be on the causeway about 6 miles from the pad.

I'll be bringing my Canon Rebel XT, borrowing a friend's Rebel XTs, and bringing a 100-300mm USM f 4.5-5.6, 55-200mm 4-5.6 and am renting a 400mm f/5.6L and a 1.4 x extender for the weekend along with a small tripod.

Any photo or other tips?

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

I would have loved to be able to view from there! There currently is another launch schedule during our Nov trip that I was thinking of trying to get a couple of those tickets. How long ahead of time did you contact your senator?

It sounds like you'll have a great equipment set-up. I'd have one set up for vertical shots and the other for horizontal. I flipped approx. half way thru which happened to coincide with the shuttle entering some clouds so I really didn't lose any shots. As I mentioned though the whole sequence happens very quickly. I also think that the best use of the long zoom is at the initial launch and shortly after that. Once it gains altitude things will get more hazy and that's the point I liked the wide angle perspective. I hope the weather is good and that you'll post some pics!

Thanks for sharing! Amazing pictures and what a great experience!

Thanks Dory! It was quite an experience and then when you start thinking about the fact that there are people going up there - well, it's just amazing!

 

[rtphokie]

I would have loved to be able to view from there! There currently is another launch schedule during our Nov trip that I was thinking of trying to get a couple of those tickets. How long ahead of time did you contact your senator?

I first contacted my senator's office about 2 months ago. I called directly and followed up with an email. From what I understand some senators are very eager to help their constituents with requests like this, some don't want to be bothered with it. Never hurts to ask.

It sounds like you'll have a great equipment set-up. I'd have one set up for vertical shots and the other for horizontal. I flipped approx. half way thru which happened to coincide with the shuttle entering some clouds so I really didn't lose any shots. As I mentioned though the whole sequence happens very quickly. I also think that the best use of the long zoom is at the initial launch and shortly after that. Once it gains altitude things will get more hazy and that's the point I liked the wide angle perspective. I hope the weather is good and that you'll post some pics!

Good idea on switching to portrait. The few hours after sunrise are generally the most stable time weather wise so hopefully we'll have a good view and it'll go off on time. The launch window is very small (5 minutes) and they can only delay the mission for a few days total due to other launches scheduled later in the week so NASA doesn't have much wiggle room anyway.

 

[Muushka]

One word.....WOW!

Those are about the best pics of a launch I have ever seen. Awesome. Tell me, do you have back problems carrying that lens???

What a wonderful experience. I will drag my husband kicking and screaming to come look at pictures and he will become silent quickly! (In his former career he was a rocket scientistn (no joke!). We lived in S FL for 10 years and I always regret not going to a launch.

Thank you for posting these great pictures!

 

[TammyNC]

Awesome pictures, really enjoyed seeing them.

 

[racreel]

I don't have any photos, but we saw a night shuttle launch from the MK in December 1999. We were watching the parade and just happened to be facing the right direction. It would not have been visible if the lights had not been down for the parade.

 

[handicap18]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I witnessed a shuttle launch way back in '91, but it was from a few hundred miles away. We could only see a small streak of light going across the sky. I'd love to get up close like that some day.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone!

I first contacted my senator's office about 2 months ago. I called directly and followed up with an email. From what I understand some senators are very eager to help their constituents with requests like this, some don't want to be bothered with it. Never hurts to ask.

I may have to give this a try in Nov. Our Senators are usually helpful and being a small pop state and for events on the east coast I may have a decent chance with the request.

One word.....WOW!

Those are about the best pics of a launch I have ever seen. Awesome. Tell me, do you have back problems carrying that lens???

What a wonderful experience. I will drag my husband kicking and screaming to come look at pictures and he will become silent quickly! (In his former career he was a rocket scientistn (no joke!). We lived in S FL for 10 years and I always regret not going to a launch.

Thank you for posting these great pictures!

Thanks Muushka!!!! Believe it or not - that's not my heaviest lens. LOL It sure could scare small children though! And I'm honored to have a real rocket scientist looking at them! It's probably a good thing we don't live closer - I believe I would have been a real space junkie and heading over to the launches frequently. I remember very well running home at lunch time from school to watch the first shuttle mission land.

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I witnessed a shuttle launch way back in '91, but it was from a few hundred miles away. We could only see a small streak of light going across the sky. I'd love to get up close like that some day.

Don't delay Kyle - only 8 more launches and the last one is currently scheduled for Sept 2010. They have already begun converting the second launch pad for the new space vehicles. Hope you get to make it there!