Discovery Xenon
High-powered Xenon lights illuminate space shuttle Discovery on the launch pad at LC-39A after rollback of the Rotating Service Structure, for STS-133’s first launch attempt in November of 2010.
STS-133 RSS Rollback (timelapse)
The Rotating Service Structure is rolled back from space shuttle Discovery for the final time, revealing the veteran orbiter over the course of 45 minutes for launch the next day (click the play button to view the timelapse).
Launch of STS-133 (audio)
[audio:STS-133.mp3] Space shuttle Discovery roars into orbit, the crackling thunder of her twin Solid Rocket Boosters threatening to overwhelm the microphone. Note: if the audio player doesn’t appear, click the title (Launch of STS-133) to view the actual post.
STS-133 Launch Panorama
Space shuttle Discovery soars into the Florida skies, as seen in this 180° panorama taken from Astronaut Road. The massive Vehicle Assembly Building can be seen on the right, and Launch Complex 39B on the left. (Click image to view larger.)
Branch
Space shuttle Discovery reaches for the sky on her final mission, consuming over 20,000lbs of propellant every second. Coincidentally, the Ongiara’s maximum vehicle load just happens to be 20,000lbs, which the shuttle consumes every second.
Camera Assistant
An alligator floats in the swamps of Kennedy Space Centre, a good reminder to be careful when setting up remote cameras.
Stork Stack
A brown pelican (previously misidentified as a stork) sits on a piling used to secure the barge that transports the shuttle’s External Tanks. The top of the STS-133 stack can be seen in the background.
Roll Maneuver
Space shuttle Discovery begins her Roll Program, turning the vehicle 180° so it ascends to orbit in a “heads down” position. Here the Roll Program gives a perfect view between the External Tank and the orbiter.
Staging Progression
About two minutes after liftoff in a sequence called “staging”, Discovery’s SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters) separate from the External Tank to begin their parachute-controlled decent to the ocean below for recovery. (Click image to view larger.)
One More Time
Space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the launch pad for the final time. Within twenty seconds of missing her launch window and being forced to abort, she had a flawless ascent to orbit.
SSME Stabilization
Space shuttle Discovery’s SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) stabilize after ignition in this sequence. From left to right, the rough orange flame stabilizes to form a smooth blue flow, displaying the characteristic “Mach diamonds”, formed by the supersonic flow of the engine’s exhaust.
Pillars of Fire
Riding twin pillars of fire, veteran space shuttle Discovery embarks on her final voyage to orbit from LC-39A. After this final mission, she’ll be processed and turned over to the Smithsonian for permanent display.
Bighorn Gaze
On a completely Island-unrelated note, a bighorn sheep peers through its horns on a July trip to Alberta’s Icefields.
Mink Details
The carnivorous details of a perfectly preserved mink skull, found in the Sans Souci region of Georgian Bay.
VAB Focus
Checking focus on Canon’s 800mm f/5.6 L IS lens on the top of NASA’s VAB, in preparation for the ‘first final flight’ of space shuttle Atlantis. The final photographs from this setup can be seen here and here. Photo courtesy of Trent Smith, NASA Pad B Transition Project Lead. Lens courtesy of Lens Rentals Canada.
VAB Panorama
Space shuttle Atlantis, STS-132, soars into a clear Florida sky on her ‘first final flight’. This is a 180° panorama taken from the roof of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building, showing the sprawling space complex and the myriad swampy waterways that crisscross the area. Click the image to view larger.
Arrowhead Trails
A four-hour exposure over Arrowhead lake spins the night sky, ushering in the camping season of 2009.
Merganser Riding
Merganser ducklings ride their mother’s back, set against the folded granite of the Canadian Shield in Massassauga Provincial Park, Georgian Bay. Tagged as related.
Road to Nowhere
A rare and endangered and totally natural ’57 Chevy rusts slowly into the Canadian Shield. Tagged as related, this panorama was photographed in the Bouchier Islands, Georgian Bay.
Floral Nova
A water lily flowers in near-perfect symmetry. Tagged as related, this was photographed in the mineral-rich waters off of Franklin Island, Georgian Bay.
Surface Tension
An eastern fox snake reflected perfectly in the calm waters of a high pressure system. Tagged as related, this fellow was photographed just south of Parry Sound. Eastern fox snakes aren’t found this far south, it’s just a shot that’s so cool I had to share.
Bearline Airforce II
A mass hatching of dragonflies find solace on my foodline. Tagged as related, these were photographed in the Bouchier Islands in Georgian Bay, south of the Norgate Inlet.
Loondrop
Although extremely rare on the Island, loons can be seen migrating through — hearing their haunting call in Long Pond is a beautiful thing. Tagged as related, this loon was photographed near Parry Sound.
Fledgling Fuzz
A cormorant chick, now covered in fuzz, waits alone in its nest for its parents to return with lunch. This cormorant was actually photographed on a small offshore island in Georgian Bay, south of Byng Inlet, and is tagged as related since we host thousands of them every season.