Test posting works. Let’s see if picture posting does too. >.< Had to open a Flickr account… here we go…
If you can see this clearly, this is a shuttle launch, viewed from a nearby harbor farther up north of Merrit Island (the island where the shuttle’s launchpad, LC 39A, is). Notice that the shuttle doesn’t go straight up, but rather, go up, and forward (to the east). This is because in order to actually stay in orbit, they must exceed HORIZONTAL speeds in excess of 17,000MPH. The altitude matters little once they reach 400,000 feet, it’s the speed that matters. Watching a shuttle launch from a TV, or from Kennedy itself, gives you the illusion that they’re going straight up, since you’re looking to the east already. This view from a northern part of Florida can’t make it any clearer.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
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