Updates STS-133 Updates

[jangofett287]

Sources vary on how many seconds they were away from scrub when Range gave the go ahead, so can we clear up how fine they ended up cutting it?

 

[Kyle]

It was 4 seconds before a scrub.

I don't know about you all, but when I heard RSO say 'GO' and knowing the window ran out in less than 30 seconds was a huge nail biter.

I ran out to see the launch from my house, it was very cloudy but I did get to see it through the clouds and it was beautiful!

 

[blixel]

Here is a little bit of amateur video I took from my front yard. Obviously it's not that impressive compared to NASA's cameras ... but it gives a different perspective.

 

[Tycho]

The piece of debris that flew off during ascent was apparently a small piece of foam, as mentioned in the post-launch press conference. They say it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Dambuster]

It was 4 seconds before a scrub.

I don't know about you all, but when I heard RSO say 'GO' and knowing the window ran out in less than 30 seconds was a huge nail biter.

I went *so* hyper after that bit. Thankfully there was no one else at home, so no witnesses :shifty:

 

[Tycho]

I think we all got a bit hyper. That's probably the most intense launch I've seen in a long time. I began watching an hour and a half before launch and certainly lost track of time (probably one of the fastest hours I have ever experienced). Very glad though that Discovery and her crew were finally able to reach orbit.

 

[Star Voyager]

Here is a little bit of amateur video I took from my front yard. Obviously it's not that impressive compared to NASA's cameras ... but it gives a different perspective.

YouTube - Amateur video of STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Launch

You must live near me, then. I had that same view!

 

[blixel]

You must live near me, then. I had that same view!

I'm in Deltona.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I just realised I haven't posted my "launch story" yet!

Well, what can I say - I thought it was going to be a scrub. Then, with just seconds to go, they said they were going to proceed with the count. So I ran into the other room and put the launch on TV (better quality than PC). By this time, I had such an adrenaline rush that I didn't think much about it being Discovery's final flight while I was watching her rocket out of the atmosphere for the final time.

Even watching it back now, it hasn't really sunk in. Perhaps the excitement of finally having this mission off the ground is masking any sentimental feelings. However, I imagine that one day soon I'll be watching the video of this launch and it'll suddenly hit me - this was the last time for Discovery.

Anyway, FD-2 and OBSS inspections tomorrow - I've missed Shuttle ops! :thumbup:

PS - I've come to the conclusion that Steve Bowen is a "lucky" crewmember - every one of his three flights (STS-126, 132, 133) have gone off first time. Tim Kopra, however, must be unlucky - anyone remember the STS-127 fiasco? Then, as soon as he's off 133, Discovery behaves fine. :idk:

 

[deltawing777]

Here is a little bit of amateur video I took from my front yard. Obviously it's not that impressive compared to NASA's cameras ... but it gives a different perspective.

YouTube - Amateur video of STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Launch

You could of sat there and watched it on your channel 9 but instead recorded it for all of us here at O-F. Very cool! Thank you for sharing :tiphat:

 

[Cairan]

Well, now I'm looking forward for the landing... I've got an hotel booked at Cocoa Beach the week it is scheduled to land... I chose that timeframe so I could catch the launch if it was very late or the landing if it wasn't delayed.

Any suggestions of stuff to do around that part of Florida for a few days, besides the obvious visits to KSC Visitor Center!

 

[orb]

Revision B of NASA TV schedule for STS-133 mission (PDF)

 

[Dambuster]

This is depressing...first Concorde retires, and now Space Shuttle will retire. Soon there won't be any beautiful aircraft left in the skies!

 

[blixel]

You could of sat there and watched it on your channel 9 but instead recorded it for all of us here at O-F. Very cool! Thank you for sharing :tiphat:

hehe ... well the thing is, I can always watch the recorded replay of the launch (and from a variety of angles.) But you only have one opportunity to go outside and see it live and in person.

Here are a couple other videos I took from past launches. (Quality isn't that great. But in these videos, I drove over to the coast to get a closer view.) Cloud coverage is the biggest pain in the neck!

STS-123 Space Shuttle Endeavour. March 11, 2008

STS-92 Space Shuttle Discovery. October 11, 2000. You can hear the acoustic rumble pretty well in this video.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVz7-pVmBd8"]YouTube - Amateur video of STS-92 Space Shuttle Discovery. October 11, 2000[/ame]

 

[N_Molson]

What striked me is that we all waited this launch for 4 months... and in less than 10 minutes, Discovery was in orbit ! Woosh ! :lol:

 

[orb]

The official videos released at YouTube by NASATelevision:

• Discovery's Last Ride:
  

  Replay of the launch

• Discovery Continues Journey to ISS:
  

  Post-launch news conference

 

[orb]

A few post-launch articles / press releases

NASA: NASA'S Shuttle Discovery Heads To Space Station On Its Final Mission.

Spaceflight Now:

• Space shuttle Discovery soars on one last journey
• Discovery sails into space for last time (PHOTO GALLERY)

SpaceRef:

• NASA's Shuttle Discovery Heads to Space Station on Its Final Mission
• NASA STS-133 Report #01 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011

SPACE.com: Liftoff! Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on Final Voyage.

NASASpaceflight: Discovery launches after dramatic range fix late in countdown.

collectSPACE: Space shuttle Discovery lifts off for the last time.

CBS News Space: Shuttle Discovery rockets into orbit (UPDATED).

Florida Today - The Flame Trench: Discovery blasts off on final flight.

BBC News: Shuttle Discovery sets out on last voyage.

Aviation Week: Discovery Soars On Final Mission.

 

[vchamp]

Unfortunately the invariably thrilling "Houston, Discovery. Roll program." "Roger roll, Discovery" was almost inaudible. Apart from this, an epic launch as always.

 

[Zoe]

This has to be one of the most dramatic countdowns ever seen. For anyone interested there was at least one time when they just missed the launch window: STS-88. nasaspaceflight.com have a good audio track of the events: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/_docs/STS-88.19981203.Attempt.edit.avi well worth a listen. 2 seconds more and STS-133 would have gone the same way.

 

[IronRain]

Although it was a range problem I'm sure Discovery did this all to scare us a little bit. Just her way to say goodbye