Videos: Multiple Views Of STS-133 - Final 'Discovery' Launch

 Discovery's final launch a few days ago on February 24th went extremely well, which was a great sight to see on her last launch ever. With just Endeavour and Atlantis left to fly one last mission each, this is the perfect time to pay close attention to what's going on with the Shuttle program details. One great way is to monitor the live stream at nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv. This is an amazing resource of live action and fresh recorded material that takes you up close to the inner workings of launch control, mission control, and the astronauts on both the Shuttle and the ISS. Obviously a great resource for re-entry and landing as well... you can also keep an eye on this STS-133 page for landing schedule updates.

 I've pulled together 4 different videos worth checking out, especially if you enjoy looking at the details of the launch process like I do. The first three offer different views of the launch of Discovery last Thursday, and the last one is a short but very close and loud IMAX segment of a previous launch.

 The first one above is pretty amazing actually. It's taken from an airliner that was passing by that provided a great view and perspective of the rapid ascent of the Shuttle. I especially like how the cockpit makes the announcement about the launch saying: "people on the right side of the airplane can see the Space Shuttle, and those of you on the left side of the aircraft can probably see the people on the right side of the aircraft looking at the Space Shuttle" (!)

3 more videos below

 The video above is a fantastic collection of various views that you don't often see, or at least don't see run on this long. I'm pretty sure this was a broadcast from nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv that was done after Discovery was already positioned up in space. As a result, the audio you here occasionally is com between mission control and the Shuttle, but it's not related to the images you're seeing.

 A couple specific spots in this one to notice: at the launch that starts at about 4:35, check out the how rapidly the smoke and water vapor clouds move horizontally, especially to the right, after the solid rocket boosters ignite. The velocity is pretty stunning. And then at about 9:15, when the SRB's separate from the Orbiter, I really enjoyed the extended view as the SRB's slowly begin to tumble on their way back down. It's an interesting view that I don't remember seeing before. Usually we see about 3 seconds of it and that's it.

 This video starts about 50 seconds before lift off and offers up both the views and narration often found on the TV broadcasts. It continues on far enough to include the Orbiter separating from the external tank as it enters space. Good stuff.

 This video is only 1:25 long, but the views and the sound are incredible!  It's from a previous launch that was shot for an IMAX movie. It's seriously loud, watch your speaker volume for this one... and enjoy : )