Can You Feel The Raw Power?

Photo courtesy of the Space and Astronautics News

I have seen quite a few shuttle launches over the years. In fact, I think I have seen so many launches that I now come to take them for granted. I imagine most people do the exact same thing. Nowadays, shuttle launches have become pretty commonplace. However, over the past couple of days I have come been reminded of the awesome power of these launches.

Asher’s First “Space Ranger” Launch
I thought Asher would enjoy seeing Sunday night’s launch. I showed him the video on YouTube and he has been asking to see it three or four times-a-day ever since. Each time I watch the Discovery launch I am just more amazed at the pure, raw, and awesome power of a shuttle launch.

The narrator helps to provide some startling statistics.

• Thirty seconds into the flight, the shuttle is traveling at 365 mph and is 1.5 miles in altitude.
• One minute and twelve seconds into the flight, the shuttle is traveling at 1800 mph and is 10 miles in altitude.
• At liftoff, the shuttle, external tank, and two boosters weigh 4.5 million pounds.
• At liftoff, the total thrust equals 6,425,000 lbs.
• The twin boosters alone provide 5.3 million (of the 6 mil.) pounds of thrust.

Those are mind-boggling numbers! To be honest, I cannot wrap my mind around them.

The Video
Here is a video found on YouTube that shows the launch. I hope you enjoy it as much as Asher and I have.