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Space Shuttle Launch from Air Canada Plane

Posted: August 14, 2008

The above video surfaced on Gizmodo and is alleged to have been shot by a passenger on an Air Canada flight during a Space Shuttle launch. There’s no reason to believe that it’s fake, and ignoring the commentary on the video, it’s pretty cool. The speed of the Shuttle as it rises is phenomenal. According to NASA, the Space Shuttle does zero to 17,000 mph (27,400kmh) in 8.5 minutes

Category: Science
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Posted: August 14, 2008
Duncan Riley

By Duncan Riley









Comments


5 Archived Responses to “ Space Shuttle Launch from Air Canada Plane ”

  1. Cool video; I just wish the moron would shut up.

  2. That Air Canada Jet is nowhere near Canaveral. It is close enough for someone to take a video, but far enough to be safe of the space shuttles trajectory.

    When there are space shuttle launches, there are restricted areas that become active, namely R2933, R2934, and R2935 restricted areas, thus preventing ANY aircraft apart from the Space shuttle to operate near Canaveral.

  3. Actually, that's not a space shuttle, but rather a Delta II Rocket. This is evident by the ignition of 3 other solid boosters about 1 minute into the clip.

  4. NASA Tec
    Aug 22, 2008

    The additional smoke one minute into flight is the throttle-up after reduced power flight through thicker air at lower altitudes. They throttle back after liftoff so the shuttle does not become damaged from pressures exerted while penetrating the thicker air of the lower atmosphere. You can also hear the pilot announce that the shuttle is behind the right wing… obviously alerted by ATC.

    Another interesting fact: The shuttle has already exceeded 100mph by the time it clears the tower and is already supersonic less than one minute into flight!

  5. Bill Phallus
    Mar 15, 2009

    Transcription:
    Tool: holy smokes look how fast it's going
    Tool:holy smokes look how fast it's going
    Tool:holy smokes look how fast it's going
    Tool:holy smokes look how fast it's going
    Tool:do you see it?
    Tool:holy smokes look how fast it's going
    Tool:holy smokes look how fast it's going