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1688
1689

Space Shuttle Discovery Launch in 1984 (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by murraygf35

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[–]Princethor 20 points21 points ago

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"To infinity and beyond."

[–]ajsatx 22 points23 points ago

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Indeed.

[–]lethal_weapon_five 12 points13 points ago

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ಠ_ಠ

[–]Franklin_The_Turtle8 5 points6 points ago

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This little 3 post series right here compelled me to login and commend ya'll

[–]ddfitz 1 point2 points ago

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This must be shopped, because there's no way Buzz's wings would fit in there. Holy shit I just realized something. Is Buzz Lightyear named after Buzz Aldrin?

[–]ajsatx 2 points3 points ago

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Yea I believe so. Aren't the wings retractable?

[–]MegaFireDonkey 2 points3 points ago

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They are retractable but in the xray photo they are not retracted.

[–]MrFister9 61 points62 points ago

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Few things have captured just how small we are compared to the world and the vastness of space like this picture.

[–]I_wwebsite 16 points17 points ago

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Just the proportion of the thruster's flame trail to the size of the ship got me. Wow.

[–]mach-2 11 points12 points ago

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I just love the backdrop of the ocean and the trail of encompassing sunlight.

[–]smohlman 4 points5 points ago

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I feel the exact same way. It never really hit me how amazing of an achievement it is to propel something like that all the way to space until I saw this picture.

[–]madnessAndYou 7 points8 points ago

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pale blue dot does it best.

[–]Geedunk 3 points4 points ago

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My girlfriend is too busy on facebook but I just said the same thing to her. You always think of the shuttle as large and personal, but when you see it like this and imagine it traveling in space the complete scale of it all really gets to you.

[–]MantlePlume 2 points3 points ago

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You should watch NASA's "The Dream is Alive", it's available in its entirety here. It's fairly short and it's worth every minute. This launch, from liftoff to LEO, is featured and it's simply stunning. It's an interesting look at where we thought our manned space program was going in the 80s.

[–]N69sZelda 2 points3 points ago

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so much fuel. So much effort. so many man hours. And for what?! to get that tiny dot to orbit our planet. Physicists always talk about how weak gravitational force is but honestly it is so so strong.

[–]Sir_Jeremiah 5 points6 points ago

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Not to be that guy, but physicists say gravitational forces are weak because they are.

[–]my_clock_is_wrong 1 point2 points ago

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pretty much this.

Witness the gravitational might of the entire earth vs a fridge magnet. Gravity might be weak but it acts over a distance so getting out of the well is hard.

[–]PonsAsinorumBerkeley 1 point2 points ago

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This is an interesting double entendre. Was it intentional?

[–]Sir_Jeremiah 0 points1 point ago

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Oh wow, that is a pretty good one. And no, it was not intentional.

[–]smartlikerokc 0 points1 point ago

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As NdGT points out, gravity can be overcome by static electricity if you rub a balloon against your sweater and hold it over a sheet of paper.

[–]N69sZelda 0 points1 point ago

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i am a third year phsyics major. i know. you missed what i was saying.

[–]MirrorLake 11 points12 points ago*

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If you have a subwoofer or bass-y headphones, watch this!

[–]WhatamIwaitingfor 1 point2 points ago

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I assume they're still using the closeup audiotrack when they pull the camera away, no?

[–]SteelCurtain92 1 point2 points ago

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Dat Thrust.

[–]esrevinu 0 points1 point ago

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Awesome

[–]Executive_Slave 0 points1 point ago

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Just before it takes off it leans back a little bit, awesome.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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I have headphones with subwoofers in them, and that was intense

Thanks!

[–]31Orcas 0 points1 point ago

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I used to have a 12" subwoofer, with a box I built myself... the bass went down to 25 Hz! But I recently moved to an apartment, so, I just use normal headphones : (. At least I still have my two main floor-standing speakers with a 12" woofer each (the combined bass is still not anywhere near as loud as the actual subwoofer). But I can never really turn them up, because it's an apartment.

Anyway, thanks for the memories of my beloved subwoofer, as well as the EPIC video clip!

[–]coolplace 33 points34 points ago

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I was on an island off the coast of belize doing a little diving. I had befriended a couple hilarious, drunk aussies and had been hanging out with them for a few days. One morning, they told me they had seen the most incredible site of their lives at around 4 am the previous night; a massive fireball that crossed the entire sky - horizon to horizon.

We did a little investigating and realized that it was the final landing of Atlantis, the last space shuttle landing ever. I never got to see one, but these two drunk and high australians got to. I bought us a round of beers, shook my head and laughed.

[–]Tol3ntino 7 points8 points ago

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I got to see the shuttle take off once. I was about 10 years old and let me tell you, that was the perfect age to see it. I was fucking amazed that there were people sitting on top of that massive/controlled explosion....LEAVING EARTH! the ultimate "peace out"

The viewing area was at least 1/2 mile away, maybe more and it was still LOUD and I could still feel the rumble in my chest. LOVED IT! I get chills watching video of shuttle launches :)

Im sad that this wont be happening again :( If I ever have a kid I cant share that with him/her.

[–]Show-Me-Your-Moves 1 point2 points ago

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SpaceX is launching from Canaveral next week. It may not be shuttles but there will be plenty of launches in the future.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]Zalcorus 2 points3 points ago

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It's a valid media source.

[–]Show-Me-Your-Moves 0 points1 point ago

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Honestly it was the first link I found and I didn't even check the name

[–]lostsol97 1 point2 points ago

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I was lucky enough to see several shuttle launches while we were stationed at the Patrick Air Force Base. I was just a bit younger than you were but you're right, they are amazing to watch. We were about 8 miles away any you could still feel it! And night launches were awesome. I had no idea until I got older how fortunate I was to get to see the shuttle go up.

[–]Tol3ntino 0 points1 point ago

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Yeah I didnt realize how fortunate I was at the time too...but now I think, that shuttle was kind of an american symbol and now its going to be a museum piece. I live in LA so at least I can go visit it, haha!!

[–]palebluebob 5 points6 points ago

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Like a pillar of cloud, the smoke lingers high in the air. In fascination, with the eyes of the world we stare.

[–]Cpt_KRK 1 point2 points ago

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5vPrrnb6tw

[–]palebluebob 1 point2 points ago

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Columbia you're looking a little hot and all your calls will be a little early.

[–]Mordred19 4 points5 points ago

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it's fucking amazing. these brave tiny little apes pack into a capsule on top of a bunch of controlled explosive, to go spin around a big rock in a place where they can't survive unless they take some of their life-giving fluid with them packed into little tanks. sometimes they meet up with another bit of metal being flung around the big rock, like hitting a grain of sand with a another grain of sand.

and then they come back. ALIVE. holy shit.

[–]roboticWanderor 2 points3 points ago

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its like they used science or something.

[–]CulenTrey 0 points1 point ago

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Except for Soyuz 1, Soyuz 11, Challenger and Columbia shuttles, you are correct sir.

[–]corysama 2 points3 points ago

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I'll have to check my old photo album, but I think this is the launch I saw when I was a kid. I remember being in Florida and watching from across a lake. I saw the tiny dot, the huge flame and the growing smoke trail. I remember seeing a weird wave come across the lake and when it hit the shore I could finally hear the roar!

[–]bobboa 1 point2 points ago

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Not saying this isn't the one you saw, but wouldn't they all look pretty much exactly the same?

[–]corysama 0 points1 point ago

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Yep. That's why I'm not too concerned about being wrong. Meanwhile, I'm just guessing by the time frame. I'd have to check the date of the album to be certain.

[–]yourpicisnowamovie 12 points13 points ago

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I've turned your picture into a scene from a movie: http://i.imgur.com/EH3Dq.png

You're welcome

[–]utsavman 3 points4 points ago

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It's not the same without the ground for perspective.

[–]DougBolivar 0 points1 point ago

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The Day After?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

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Holy shit, neat trick. When I look at it my brain totally perceives it as a movie screen cap.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

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The smoke is shaped as a penis.

[–]Hopke 2 points3 points ago

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First thing i saw..

[–]XDME 1 point2 points ago

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glad I'm not the only immature high schooler here

[–]CatLover99 1 point2 points ago

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Captain, we're going to need more science!

[–]s33k 1 point2 points ago

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Oh my heart...

[–]mach-2 1 point2 points ago

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be still.

[–]skaternewt 1 point2 points ago

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This is honestly one of the best pictures I have seen on reddit.

[–]ConstipatedNinja 1 point2 points ago

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It must've been quite the Challenge to go forward with this Endeavor, but the possible Discovery is more than worth the funding of this Enterprise.

Fuck... umm... Columbia. Atlantis. Phew!

[–]chabanais 1 point2 points ago*

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It's like two balls, a long diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccckkkkkkkkkkk and a happy ending.

[–]SimmaDownNa 1 point2 points ago

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Would love to get/see an HD version of this shot. (3000x3000-ish, at least)

[–]Intr0vert 1 point2 points ago

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I will literally suck someone's dick for a high-res version.

[–]ssracer 0 points1 point ago

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I have a dick. Now we just need the high res version.

[–]average_AZN 2 points3 points ago

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nothing gets me hard quite like a rocket launch

[–]OogalaBoogala 0 points1 point ago

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I was lucky enough to see a launch for this angle once, as I was heading down to Florida.

[–]StarvationKillz 0 points1 point ago

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I just got the privilege to go inside the discovery with my family before it was shut off for the museum. I was one of the last people inside the discovery. Amazing experience

[–]idosillythings 0 points1 point ago

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That's a big bottle rocket

[–]Funnyguy17 0 points1 point ago

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It's crazy how fucking small we are :(

[–]bergerman 0 points1 point ago

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HEY GUYS I CAN SEE ACROSS THE OCEAN FROM UP HERE

[–]coolreg214 0 points1 point ago

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I was working on a new holiday inn in Palm Bay, Fla. and saw this launch from the roof.

[–]Liefx 0 points1 point ago

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I love this picture. It puts everything into perspective.

[–]cerebral_ballsy 0 points1 point ago

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sweet jesus they were successfully launching rockets before I existed ...

[–]titsMcgikkles 0 points1 point ago

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This is my immaturity speaking here, but the smoke trail makes it kinda look like a penis.

[–]tastyhihatwork 0 points1 point ago*

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I'd love to see the original source on this. Don't see it on NASA Images or Google related.

EDIT: This is as far upstream as I can track it.

[–]Final-Boss 0 points1 point ago

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Superb shot!

[–]BallFlavin 0 points1 point ago

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iS THAT DA 1 THAT EXPLODED?

ron pal

[–]Dammapada 0 points1 point ago

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20+ tons of matter leaving the atmoshpere. It truley is an expensive yet awesome sight

[–]cleverless 0 points1 point ago

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Awesome pic. Would be cool as a 3d building in google earth.

[–]rhoula 0 points1 point ago

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How did you manage to take that picture?

[–]Sonerous 0 points1 point ago

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When I saw this photo my heart filled with hope and awe at the potential of humanity.

Thanks for the share, I must've been living in a hole for not seeing this already.

[–]forlaens 0 points1 point ago

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So this reminds me of a closeup image of the space shuttle launch, with a tilted point of view, tiles on the ground and exhaust cloud everywhere, it was all over reddit .. any of you guys got a link to that by chance? Pre-edit: Oh, second attempt at Google returned this before I got to submit the commit .. here goes anyway; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/STS-130_exhaust_cloud_engulfs_Launch_Pad_39A.jpg

[–]_TheGermanGuy_ 0 points1 point ago

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I have no quote to add, no poem to bring. But wow. This is one of few pictures I really can look at for more than 2 seconds. It looks amazing. Thank you for posting this

[–]Tron-Gorf 0 points1 point ago

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Imagine all the mullets down there.

[–]danilasally4 0 points1 point ago

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SO peaceful times .... miss them !

[–]big_lee84 0 points1 point ago

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MW3 javelin lock confirmed

[–]science_diction 0 points1 point ago

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Ah, I remember this back when our country had a future.

[–]twat_cunthearyou 0 points1 point ago

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Living on the space coast a few miles from NASA I took shuttle launches for granted and regret it now. However I'll never miss being awoken or scared shitless from the sonic booms and windows rattling.

[–]CalmDownOverThere 0 points1 point ago

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1984??? Watch out for Big Brother!

[–]mattj7 0 points1 point ago

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Man it sure would be nice to go into space again...

[–]Shitty_Tilt-Shift 0 points1 point ago

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Shitty Tilt-Shift

[–]scott226 0 points1 point ago

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My little brother just asked me why it is shooting across the ocean, don't spaceships go up to outer space?

I told him this one was special.

[–]CUNT_IN_MY_DICK_LORD -1 points0 points ago

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"To slip the surly bonds of earth, and touch the face of God.
To fly -- the dream of man and flightless bird alike."
-Martin Luther King

[–]KillAllTheThings 1 point2 points ago

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Not quite. How about an episode of The Simpsons?

[End of Act One. Time: 8:05]

The scene opens on Colonel Hapablap speaking at the microphone.

Hapablap: To slip the surly bonds of earth, and touch the face of God. To fly -- the dream of man and flightless bird alike. And now, hold on tight, as we blast through the thrilling highlights of aviation history! Say, did somebody say "box kites"? ["Up, Up and Away" starts]

The original is a poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. called High Flight. It is the official poem of the RAF and RCAF.

[–]science_diction 0 points1 point ago

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"The Simpsons have a well known reality bias." - Ghengis Khan, son of Ron Paul

[–][deleted] -2 points-1 points ago

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Freudian Interpretation

[–]duckmaster -1 points0 points ago

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We're definitely streets ahead of North Korea

[–]Rythoka -1 points0 points ago

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I did a databend of this.

Shoutout to r/glitch_art. Hopefully this comment will get them some recognition.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]dmanbiker 0 points1 point ago

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NASA is still going, and will have another vehicle eventually. Also, believe it or not, pound for pound, the space shuttle was actually more expensive to launch than an expendable vehicle.

Also, about your other point, I would say it's ideal to solve the problems on the Earth itself before venturing for into the stars. In fact, I doubt interstellar travel will even be remotely possible until the human race can solve all its (major) problems here on Earth.

Of course we should continue striving for space, since it's very uplifting, but solving the conflicts Earth-side is incredibly important.

[–]donkeytime -4 points-3 points ago

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Schwiiing

[–]gooruman -2 points-1 points ago

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Does anyone else see a long white cock?

[–]ssracer 0 points1 point ago

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Has anyone?

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