Did anyone see the tv coverage of the launch, was quite spectacular. In particular the footage from the camera mounted on the external tank was incredible, super clear viauals of the underside of the shuttle right up to its separation from the Orbiter.
A couple of questions. Does anyone know;
The max IAS that the shuttle achieves during the launch and at what height
Where does the debris of the main tank fall, and is there any part of it thats not burned up and lands in the ocean, if so how much.
Just curious from watching the forward bracket that holds the nose of the Orbiter to the external tank. It must be some seriously engineered metalwork to survive several thousand Knots IAS at right angles to the relative airflow. Surely the struts must survive the re-entry of the tank and end up in the ocean. Can they accurately predict the impact point so that no ships, planes are in the flight puth of such debris.
Interestingly I was looking to see some shock waves comming off the struts during the launch but couldnt see any.
Great to see the shutlte back in operation. Hope the crew comes back safely.