Atlantis Liftoff

[rickalm2000]

Its been some time since I posted anything here!!!! I had an opportunity to do something I have wanted to do since I was a kid, so I took a day off of work and headed down to Titusville, FL to watch the launch of Spae Shuttle Atlantis. I couldn't get tickets to view from Kennedy but I went to Space View Park which is a few miles from the launch pads directly across the water. My longest lens is my 70-200 so these are as close as I could get to the shuttle. It started out as a clear day but before launch the haze built up a lot and the clouds rolled in. I got about 15 seconds of the launch before it was off in the clouds and not viewable (at least where I was). I will say that that was one of the coolest things i've seen in a long time, even though it only lasted a few seconds. I drove 2 hours waited 3 and drove 2 more going home and to me it was well worth the trip. These are the best few images I was able to capture before it was all over. Hope you enjoy them!


Right after liftoff! The time syncing was a little off where we were as it left at T-8 so I was caught a little off guard and missed the initial firing.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l34/xtiguy/IMG_4808.jpg

A few seconds after liftoff

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l34/xtiguy/IMG_4813.jpg

And the last shot before it disappeared behind the clouds.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l34/xtiguy/IMG_4813.jpg

Hope you enjoyed! If anyone else has pictures of the launch feel free to add them in!!

[Phill D]

Yes I had an opportunity to see it too a few years ago but wasn't able to get any decent shots though as it was dark & before my interest in photography had been rekindled by digital. Launch was awesome a true spectacle I'll never forget. The thing that suprised me most was just how quick it was over and the harsh crackle sound it makes as it goes. To think there are people on the top of that thing too just made me shiver. You just brought all the memories flooding back, thanks for posting.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Very interesting for us on the other side of the world to see.

And that was 200mm! I'd always imagined you'd be closer.