Space Shuttle Launches

[Sparkvark]

With just 3 more missions left until the end of the program, I thought I'd post a few images that I've capture fairly recently...

Launch pics...

Launch of STS-124 (Discovery) May 2008 from 12 miles away.

Launch of STS-125 (Atlantis) May 2009 from 4 miles away.

On orbit pics...

STS-127 (Endeavour) July 2009, the lighter streak is the International Space Station (ISS); the brighter streak is the Space Shuttle. They had just separated the day before and I captured them heading from North to South along the coast passing LA. Both are moving away in the image.

STS-128 (Discovery) September 2009, here both the SS and ISS are docked together as they approach LA from the West (moving from left to right in the image.)

Glad I was able to see the Space Shuttle in all three phases of flight; launch, on orbit and landing before the end of the program.

[gfydad]

Great shots! 
Sure hate to see the program end with no follow on ready to go on the U.S. end of things.

[Sparkvark]

Great shots! 
Sure hate to see the program end with no follow on ready to go on the U.S. end of things.

Thanks Jim!! I'm flying down to FL later this morning to view the launch on Friday. This will be my last one. :-(

Jim

[Code20photog]

Got to see a twilight launch a couple of years ago. There's not an ounce of processing here:

[Dragonskiss]

Wow, that is one epic gorgeous shot. No post-processing to boot? I'd call this photo of the year. Love it.

[Code20photog]

Wow, that is one epic gorgeous shot. No post-processing to boot? I'd call this photo of the year. Love it.

Too bad I took it in 2009. But that's exactly the way it came out of the camera, sans a little sharpening.

[Midnight Mover]

Great shots guys

[Midnight Mover]

Great shots! 
Sure hate to see the program end with no follow on ready to go on the U.S. end of things.

Me too

[phantomphan1974]

It was a great launch today.  Watched it during my lunch in the car.  1 more to go.       

[Realbigtaco]

It was a great launch today.  Watched it during my lunch in the car.  1 more to go.       

2 more

[NikonGuy]

2 more