Amazing Endeavor launch pics... from a student-launched ballon at 100k'

[krispos42]

Student Balloon Photographs Shuttle Endeavour's Launch Into Orbit

SPACE.com Staff
Date: 16 May 2011 Time: 04:38 PM ET

A camera-toting balloon captured unique views of NASA's space shuttle Endeavour as it soared into space for the final time today (May 16), snapping pictures from the stratosphere as part of a student-led project.

The helium-filled balloon carrying the so-called "Senatobia-1" payload was launched near Gainesville, Fla. at 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT) this morning. Endeavour blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. at 8:56 a.m. EDT (1256 GMT). The shuttle is now en route to the International Space Station on its 25th and final mission before it is retired.

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The balloon's earlier launch time allowed the payload to be in position at an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet (almost 30,500 meters) to witness Endeavour's supersonic streak beyond the stratosphere.

The balloon was built and flown by students as part of a venture conducted by Quest for Stars, a non-profit educational organization, in coordination with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and the Coalition for Space Exploration.

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http://www.space.com/11683-shuttle-endeavour-launch-balloon-photos.html

The rising moon in the wide shot is an awesome touch!!!

[TheMadMonk]

1. That my friend is called serindipity. /nt

[onehandle]

2. That beats the one I saw earlier --->

Lady shot this from a commercial airliner with her iPhone.



Short video at link:
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/05/16/space-shuttle-endeav-6.html

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

3. That must be the sun that hour of the morning,

The moon is full tonight (actually 4 something am pacific time the 17th, tomorrow morning).

But good for them to get this picture.

[krispos42]

4. Yanno, I think it's a lens flare

Awesome placement, though!