Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall back to Earth from space? Well, a camera strapped to the rocket booster capsule on a shuttle flight has recorded the whole journey. Watch the video after the jump and enjoy… fantastic.
NASA attached a camera to one of the solid fuel boosters on the STS-124 Space Shuttle Discovery launch. The video starts with the shuttle in flight, climbing, and the booster releases after 1.50 seconds if you can’t wait and enjoy the final splashdown.
The Journey from Launch to Splashdown
The STS-124 mission was a significant event in NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Launched on May 31, 2008, the mission’s primary objective was to deliver the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) to the International Space Station (ISS). The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) play a crucial role in providing the necessary thrust to propel the shuttle into orbit. Once their fuel is expended, they detach and fall back to Earth, where they are recovered and refurbished for future missions.
The camera attached to the booster provides a unique perspective of this journey. As the shuttle ascends, the camera captures the curvature of the Earth, the vast expanse of the atmosphere, and the transition from the blue sky to the blackness of space. The separation of the booster is a dramatic moment, showcasing the engineering marvel of the shuttle’s design.
The Engineering Behind the Solid Rocket Boosters
Solid Rocket Boosters are among the most powerful rocket motors ever built. Each booster is 149.2 feet tall and 12.17 feet in diameter, weighing approximately 1.3 million pounds when fully fueled. They burn a mixture of ammonium perchlorate, aluminum, and a binder that holds the mixture together. This combination produces an immense amount of thrust, approximately 3.3 million pounds per booster.
The boosters are designed to be reusable. After detaching from the shuttle, they deploy parachutes to slow their descent into the Atlantic Ocean. Recovery ships then retrieve the boosters, which are towed back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for refurbishment. This process involves disassembling the boosters, inspecting each component, and replacing any parts that have worn out or been damaged during the flight.
The video also highlights the intense heat and forces the boosters endure during re-entry. The exterior of the booster glows red-hot as it plummets through the atmosphere, a testament to the extreme conditions of space travel. Despite these challenges, the boosters are robustly built to withstand these stresses and be used multiple times.
Via DVICE
This video is not just a thrilling visual experience but also an educational tool. It provides insight into the complexities of space travel and the incredible engineering feats that make it possible. For those interested in aerospace engineering, physics, or simply the wonders of space, this footage offers a rare glimpse into the journey of a rocket booster from launch to splashdown.
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