Atlantis Launch (13 Sep 2006)

kingernie · Post by **kingernie** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:50 pm

In today's (2006 Sep 13) picture of Atlantis, there's a strange object in top center foreground. What is it

orin stepanek · Post by **orin stepanek** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:49 pm

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060913.html
I presume you are talking about the brown bucket shaped object just above and between the shuttle and one of the boosters. I'm not sure but it might be a piece of equipment used to stabilize the rocket during transport and while sitting on the launchpad.

Orin

BMAONE23 · Post by **BMAONE23** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:33 pm

It could be the HAT that sits on top of the main tank prior to launch.

kingernie · Post by **kingernie** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:42 pm

I think you're right about the HAT. I searched all the APOD Shuttle pictures, but found none that shows the bird on the pad prelaunch. However, the picture of 1995 Aug 6 shows the HAT swung clear immediately after launch.

BTW there is no top restraint when the Shuttle is mounted on the Crawler. See, 2006 Jul 8 APOD.

Thanks for the clue.

ta152h0 · Post by **ta152h0** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 11:25 pm

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060913.html

Doesn't look like the beanie cap. My guess it is part of the support structure for the photo is obviously near fisheye focal length without actually being fisheye.

ta152h0 · Post by **ta152h0** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 11:29 pm

got a better idea. may I propose this is an IMAX camera mounted on a solid rocket booster.....

Pass the ice cold one

ta152h0 · Post by **ta152h0** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:17 am

NASAtv played the entire voyage of the SRB from launch to splashdown as seen from aboard the SRB.

Starship Asterisk*

Atlantis Launch (13 Sep 2006)

Atlantis Launch (13 Sep 2006)

Atlantis Launch

yeah, what is that

got a better idea

NASAtv