Space shuttle acrobatics

[sff_corgi_lj]

What do you think, gold-medal-worthy? ;)

For those who might have missed seeing the footage of the 'Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver', also known as the 'shuttle backflip' -- or just want to see it again:

http://wm.nasa-global.speedera.net/wm.nasa-global/RTF/backflip.wmv (Windows Media Video file)

Other STS-114 offerings:

• External tank, photographed from Discovery - Hi-res (329 Kb), but really neat
• Another external tank image, showing the area of foam loss - EXTREMELY large, but might be worth the wait for the detail (Hi-res (1.5 Mb))
• Fisheye lens launch photo (medium (720 x 505, 72 ppi))
• Launch photo with reflection, very artsy (Medium (722 x 480, 72 ppi))

Also, have fun with Java and watch the Station/Shuttle orbit:

J-Track for Spacecraft.

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for that link!

I happened to have filk album SMOKED FISH AND FRIENDS on iTunes while viewing that video, the cut happened to be "The Wheel." Turn, turn, turn... I could NOT have planned that to work this well!

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

*giggle* Such synchronicity!

I've got the J-track running with all my other open windows, it's fun to imagine the view as the craft loop around, and around, and around... and the sun icon is kinda cute.

[jisushika81.livejournal.com]

Hey, I've seen you around SQ! I'm a SQer, too! ^_^ I friended you if that's okay.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

You have? :) Haven't been around a lot lately, but it's nice to be noticed.

Sure, it's OK.

[zephprolixity.livejournal.com]

I'd give the maneuvers a 10. I'm certainly glad the craft seems fit for reentry... now if they can just solve the hazardous spacecraft-abusing-to-the-point-of-insanity launch issues we could all geek in peace.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

We're badly in need of Shuttle v2, yeah. You can blame funding for part of it, including Mr. 'We're Goin' to MARS!' Showboat.

BTW, neglected to compliment you on your icon. You've got nice timing and clarity for all that text. :)

[zephprolixity.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :D I wish I had used a different font.. this one doesn't look nearly as clear as I'd hoped it would. Oh well... This was the very first animated Icon I ever did, so I'm sure it will be better next time.... *crosses fingers*

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

Go to DaFont.com, and download the '04' smallfonts, and 'Silkscreen'. Not very fancy, but very clear at a small size. AddElectricCity also downsizes pretty well.

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

"We're badly in need of Shuttle v2, yeah. You can blame funding for part of it, including Mr. 'We're Goin' to MARS!' Showboat."

Let's make him ride around and risk his life in a 20-year-old vehicle every day until he relents. Pfui.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

After we send the Useless Twin Brats to Basic, I think. I still rankle over their little comedy routine at some televised event where they giggled over 'Now that we've graduated, we don't have anything to do,' or somesuch traife which offended every serviceperson and most of my Flist who just did graduate and now have to find jobs.

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

I like the image of it hitting the bird with its nose cone. Poor bird. Talk about bad Karma. Just what did the poor feathered fiend do in another life to deserve to be flattened by a space shuttle?

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

What was the bird still doing around THAT much noise instead of bolting? A launch is incredibly loud from miles and miles away, never mind close enough to get whacked by a spacecraft.

Canaveral/Kennedy, incidentally, is also a wildlife refuge - they've got eagles on the tour. :) This is problematic in that they also have a feral pig problem that wildlife regs inadvertently protect.

[ravensnape.livejournal.com]

My first thought was maybe it was born there and used to the noise but unless the bird was older then two years with a very long memory, :D, then I haven't a clue.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

Oh, but I think that was a previous flight... but it'd still have to have a long birdy memory. :)

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

I just wish I could download the acrobatics. I want a record of it.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

[frowns] I thought you could right-click, save target as, but that's only saving some playlist 1Kb thingie. I confess, I am not wise in the way of cybervideo....

[krazykitkat.livejournal.com]

ANd I wasn't able to find the link within that. But managed to download footage off the cnn website.

[davidjoates.livejournal.com]

Was I the only geek to be fondly remembering a way distant PC game called Elite, and to be channelling the Blue Danube Walts?

David.