Shuttle launch 5/31, launch pad damage *pics*

[beason]

The shuttle lifted off the the heavens once again saturday, and did so with a near perfect launch. (some foam bits again but nothing serious)

The launch pad on the other hand wasn't so lucky. The solid rocket boosters ripped part of the brick wall out of the flame trench and flung debris all over the place.

There is another picture i saw of the smoke plume and you can see the bits hitting the water. Ill see if i can find it.

 

[Lessen]

sweet! :thumbup:

 

[CharliesTheMan]

Wow it's really amazing the way it threw those huge stones around like feathers. If only I could get one of the boosters on my baja!

 

[bentover]

I'd say either the rocket boosters are getting more and more powerful, or NASA's construction labourers are cheaping out.

 

[robmob]

Great pics Beason.

 

[flm_savage]

the wall looks pretty weathered. I think it was just its time to go. Congrats on the launch. Pretty awesome stuff for sure.

 

[MrClean]

With that kind of heat and thrust it's a wonder that doesn't happen every time. I think that's the first pics I've seen of the trench.

 

[godale03]

Wow! Being the IT guy for NASA has its privledges!

Tom

 

[Cupooterluvr]

That's really cool! Did you take those yourself? If so you're extremely LUCKY!

When the shuttle takes off, I can see it from our house. The pad is only about 80 miles away, so when it goes up I can see the shuttle with a giant plume of fire behind it... really cool to watch.

 

[beason]

i didnt take those, it launches in florida and I'm at the nasa in houston. hopefully one day very soon they will send me to a launch (all expence paid!!)

alot of the guys here helped with the clean up effort after columbia

 

[Rolex]

Thanks for posting those amazing photos. What intense power.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Those are awesome, B! Thanks! Keep in mind, that flame trench was built during the Apollo missions, so it's got like 27 some odd years on it! Frankly, I can't believe they don't have to rebuild that thing after every launch!

 

[Hunter]

Great set of pictures Thanks for posting them. Now lets see the ones from the female dressing room I really want to know if they wear flame proof undies for the ride up

 

[Bryson]

Thats amazing, the fence is even beat to crud, from a good distance. Pretty cool!

 

[olds97_lss]

Any photo's of the "during" lift off? That is some serious power!

 

[beason]

found a few more, they wont let you get very close to the thing but ill try to find some closer shots.

also the discovery channel is having a 5 or 6 part special about nasa called "when we left earth" last sunday was the first part and covered the mercury and gemini projects. it is VERY interesting and definatly a must watch.

i will be buying these on box set when they are released.

 

[godale03]

Man that is great! What an awesome couple of shots. I think that is really amazing. I will have to check discovery out this Sunday. Sounds very interesting.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

The specials like that are always good when discovery does them. I have a whole CD case that's full of documentaries that I've burned. I'm definitely going to check that one out, I actually saw a commercial and wanted to watch it but I forgot.

 

[beason]

couple more. see the debries hitting the water!

 

[godale03]

Wow... is about all I can say.