Brenda Culbertson, a friend of Astronomy magazine and an observational astronomer, astrophotographer, and outreach educator from Kansas, continues to wait in Titusville, Florida, for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour, now scheduled for May 16 at 8:56 a.m. EDT. In the meantime, she got to experience a pretty cool event at Kennedy Space Center — an Atlas V launch.
On May 7 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an Atlas V was launched with the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) onboard. SBIRS, considered one of the nation’s highest priority space programs, is designed to provide global, persistent, infrared surveillance capabilities to meet the demands of four national security mission areas: missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence, and battlespace awareness. // Brenda Culbertson photo
Most of the media has gone, and the media center is pretty quiet at Kennedy Space Center. Those of us who are left are excited for something to do, and we had a nice break in the monotony May 7. An Atlas V launched with the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) onboard. The SBIRS sensor is part of the United States national security system.
I thought that if I photographed and video recorded the Atlas V launch, I would have a good practice for the launch of Endeavour, and I was correct. I set up my still camera and the video camera on a raised surface about 3 miles from the launch pad. System countdown commenced and everything was a “go” for the Atlas V. The video was recording when the final countdown came: 3-2-1-liftoff. The sight was fantastic, even from 3 miles away.
As I watched through the still camera, the burn pushed the launch vehicle higher into the sky, and I could hear the rumble as the sound waves reached where I was standing. Full thrust occurred 2.1 seconds after launch, and the Atlas V was roaring through the sky. I did not forget to leave the camera and look at the Atlas V directly for a few seconds. There is no sight like it. Exactly 80.8 seconds from launch, the rocket reached Mach 1, and the sonic boom was so loud that I could feel it wave over me. A few more seconds passed, and the Atlas V was nearly out of sight.
The Atlas V rocket carrying the first SBIRS sensor reached Mach 1 nearly 81 seconds after launch. // Brenda Culbertson photo
I am glad I had the video running even though the Atlas V was not visible the whole time. My still photos captured much more imagery, but the video recording captured the sound of the launch, the announcer, the wind, and the people around me. It will be a good memento for the future.
Now it’s time for me to find something else constructive to do while I wait for May 16.