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(Coming up on 45 minute point in our countdown |
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Everything going smoothly |
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T-minus 45 minutes and counting |
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Coming up on t-minus 40 minutes |
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T-minus 40 minutes and counting |
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This is Shuttle launch control) |
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Lit up with anticipation |
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We arrive at the launching site |
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The sky is still dark, nearing dawn |
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On the Florida coastline |
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Circling choppers slash the night |
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With roving searchlight beams |
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This magic day when super-science |
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Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams |
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(We have an AEO abort go for test |
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Tester says they are go for launch |
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At the present time we know of no major problems |
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As we enter this final hold) |
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Floodlit in the hazy distance |
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The star of this unearthly show |
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Venting vapours, like the breath |
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Of a sleeping white dragon |
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Crackling speakers, voices tense |
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Resume the final count |
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All systems check, T minus nine |
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As the sun and the drama start to mount |
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The air is charged - a humid, motionless mass |
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The crowds and the cameras |
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The cars full of spectators pass |
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Excitement so thick - you could cut it with a knife |
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Technology - high, on the leading edge of life |
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(T minus 27 seconds |
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We have gone to redundant sequencers start |
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T minus 20 seconds and counting |
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T minus 15, 14, 13 |
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T minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four |
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We have rocket main engine start |
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We have main engine start |
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We have liftoff) |
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The earth beneath us starts to tremble |
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With the spreading of a low black cloud |
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(The shuttle has cleared the tower) |
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A thunderous roar shakes the air |
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Like the whole world exploding |
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(Rocket is en route) |
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Scorching blast of golden fire |
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As it slowly leaves the ground |
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Tears away with a mighty force |
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The air is shattered by the awesome sound |
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(T plus 30 seconds, plus 35 |
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Columbia-Houston you are go at 40) |
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Excitement so thick - you could cut it with a knife |
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Technology - high, on the leading edge of life |
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Like a pillar of cloud, the smoke lingers |
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High in the air |
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In fascination - with the eyes of the world |
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We stare... |
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(Columbia is now turning towards its precise window |
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In space for main engine cutoff |
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... 40 seconds |
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Columbia now 39 nautical miles altitude |
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42 nautical miles downrange |
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- Columbia you are looking a little hot and all your calls will be a little early |
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Young and Crippen really moving out now |
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Velocity now reading 6200 feet per second |
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- What a view, what a view |
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Glad you are enjoying it |
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G800 to LOS |
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Columbia Houston, we have 40 seconds to LOS |
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You're looking good burning over the hill, we will see you in Madrid |
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- And we enjoyed the music Bob thank you |
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We enjoyed it, just wanted to share some with you) |
