Today’s movie was selected from a position of sentimentality. It was selected because, even though it hasn’t been that long, I miss the Shuttle Program. For the critics, yes I’m aware intricacies of the spacecraft that more or less dictate that they be grounded and the costs associated with the program (and almost every other reason the program should have ended), but I can still miss the launches. I can still be amazed at our reusable space vehicles, even if we never developed anything better.
Anyway, the video for today is 8 minutes in the life of a solid rocket booster as it helps carry the shuttle to space, is ejected from the spacecraft, and returns to Earth. The video on this one is alright, but the sound was done by Skywalker Sound, so it is fantastic. It is part of an upcoming movie commemorating the program.
When I say the video is alright, I mean the quality. I’ll give them a pass because I imagine it is difficult to shoot video when the cameras are strapped to a vehicle that is going to reach 3000 mph as it leaves most of the atmosphere. The subject itself is fascinating. As the boosters begin their return, you can see the shuttle as it continues its journey and you can see the path the spacecraft traveled to reach that point. It’s really hard to believe that in only 400 or so seconds it’s all over. 400 seconds is all it takes for the booster to travel from 0 to 3000 mph and back to about 40 mph when it hits the water.
Anyway, the video is well worth the time it takes to watch. It offers an interesting perspective on a shuttle launch and provides a little reminder of how awesome the shuttles were (are?). Be warned, I think tomorrow’s regularly scheduled programming will be preempted by a rant on airline passengers, their personal electronics, and why the FAA doesn’t care what they want. It should be good.