5 miles from the space shuttle launch. Had no idea what to expect. I wondered if it would sound like an F-15 w/ after burners flying in the distance. Instead, the 10 or so seconds it took for the sound to arrive was a pant leg flapping 20 to 30Hz. not painful to the ears mind you, just an exciting pleasurable 45 seconds of widow shaking subwoofer bliss!
n3135x
Nice TomT...
n3135x
From NASA:
"The three Space Shuttle Main Engines, in conjunction with the Solid Rocket Boosters, provide the thrust to lift the Orbiter off the ground for the initial ascent. The main engines continue to operate for 8.5 minutes after launch, the duration of the Shuttle's powered flight. "
"As the Shuttle accelerates, the main engines burn a half-million gallons of liquid propellant provided by the large, orange external fuel tank. The main engines burn liquid hydrogen -- the second coldest liquid on Earth at minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 252.8 degrees Celsius) -- and liquid oxygen."
"The engines' exhaust is primarily water vapor as the hydrogen and oxygen combine. As they push the Shuttle toward orbit, the engines consume liquid fuel at a rate that would drain an average family swimming pool in under 25 seconds generating over 37 million horsepower."
"over 37 million horsepower"
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Obviously, they worked with Chevrolet!"over 37 million horsepower"
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
Originally Posted by bowtie427ss
Obviously, they worked with Chevrolet!
Wuzn't fair...you wuz sqeezin' nitrous.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Seriously though, and all pun intended, those numbers are astronomical.
Just knowing what little i know about those gases flowing in those quantities, that whole thing teeters on a very fine line between proper operation and catastrophic failure for the duration of engine runtime.
I've driven vehicles, and ridden machines that i've equated with "riding a bomb", the shuttle really does ride one!
37 million horsepower at WOT for over 7 minutes, i get a little rush just trying to imagine it.
Not all vegetables make good leaders.
In 1985 I was at the last shuttle launch before the one that blew up on take off. Looks like we were about the same position. I couldn't believe how loud it was. I was wondering why some people had headphones/ear protectors. Taking the tour is GREAT too. Spent all day there with the family.
I remember the old days...as many blew up as flew back in the 50's.
There is a really good read called "Crossbow and Overcast" detailing WWII espionage and the program to bring German rocket scientists to the US.
In the early stages of V2 development, they always blew up just short of the target. A German scientist volunteered to stand at the target and watch it come in. At the correct time he checks his watch and looks up. Of course, it turned out to be the first successful test. He ran for a trench, as I understand he made it 80% of the way there and was blown the rest.
The book details another German scientist everybody though was young because he never had to shave. A rocket motor explosion had taken off several layers of skin from his face.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Funny how things happen in life.
I remember this little snot nosed kid, friend of my brother's in school and how they used to get into trouble. My brother went down to FL last year to watch the launch from the friend's and family viewing point, maybe 3 miles from the launch since this snot nosed kid was now piloting the shuttle...:flagwaver:
If I can find his video, I'll post it. Amazing stuff...
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