STS-114 lifted off from Launch Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center, on 26 July 2005 at 9:39 AM CDT (14:39 GMT). This daylight launch was the most watched in Shuttle history, with the possible exception of STS-1, the initial Shuttle launch on 12 April 1981. The timing and solar angle were chosen to maximise opportunities to film the liftoff, and ascent, from every possible perspective. These even included modified old jet bombers from the 1950s (WB-57 Canberras), carrying special camera turrets in the nose for the purpose of photographing Discovery at high altitude as she was on her way to orbit. The reasoning behind all of this was to make sure that if there were ANY debris strikes on the orbiter's sensitive heat shield, like the one which doomed Columbia in 2003, they would be captured on film for detailed analysis before allowing Discovery to re-enter the atmosphere.

The Crew experienced some facets of Shuttle flight that are entirely new. On orbit inspection of the heat shield, manual repairs to that heat shield, and experiments with different methods of on orbit heat shield repair. In addition, Discovery carried over 15 tons of equipment and supplies to the International Space Station ( in the Raphaello MPLM module ), where she was greeted upon arrival by the Expedition 11 Crew. Three EVAs (Extra-Vehicular Activity or spacewalk) were carried out. These involved Space Station repairs, improvements, and attending to heat shield problems. A fourth EVA to repair a flaw in the insulation below Commander Eileen Collins window was cancelled as unnecessary.

Space Shuttle Discovery and her crew landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base (NASA's Dryden Research Center) in the California desert at 7:11 AM CDT (12:11 GMT) on 9 August 2005. Total flight duration was 13 days 21 hours 32 minutes. The mission was highly successful, accomplishing every goal set for it.

The sad news is that in the wake of continued problems with external tank insulation breaking away during liftoff, the Shuttle fleet has been indefinately grounded until the problem is solved.

In the wee hours, the Shuttle/Station Complex was flying through a region of planet Earth known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). The existence of this place is no secret, but what happens here to TV cameras seems to be one. When "live" downlink is broadcast by NASA Select TV from this area of the globe, be it day or night, there are invariably colorful flashes and streaks in the signal. What causes this is not explained anywhere, and the INCO usually cuts the feed when he notices that it's going out to the public. What we will see here was from a black and white low light camera mounted in the Shuttle's payload bay.

Mr. Martyn Stubbs of Canada did a study on this sort of phenomena several years back. He dubbed it "The Second Phenomena". I've observed it numerous times myself over the years, and have several examples of it posted to this website.

Previous instances of this phenomenon are from STS-101, in May 2000. It was also captured during the flights of Soyuz TMA-4, and Soyuz TMA-5, in October 2004. In both of these cases, the spacecraft were again flying directly throught the SAA. Another case, from 9 May 2005, involved ISS as she traveled alone in the SAA. The most recent event, as of this writing, is from STS-115, in September 2006.

The phenomenon appears to be something natural. What makes it so strangely mysterious is that NASA doesn't acknowledge this phenomenon, and seems to take measures to cover it up. If it is just something related to the Earth itself, WHY try to hide it? Go ask NASA...that is if they will bother to answer you.

Next we will look at the map showing where the spacecraft were when this phenomenon manifested itself for us.

The flashes and streaks can be very heavy at times. What causes this reaction in TV cameras is not known to this writer, and NASA isn't talking. The phenomenon is unexplained, and unacknowledged. WHY it is deliberately ignored and even covered up is quite intrigueing, especially in light of visual evidence that the source is natural rather than "paranormal". Several minutes into this "light show", an anomalous object made a brief appearance. That story is The 90° Turn!.

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At all times during this incident, the camera was under the control of the CATO in Houston Mission Control.

(INCO - INstrument & Communication Officer - The man in Houston Mission Control Center who is responsible for operating the Shuttle payload bay, and robotic arm, cameras. He also remotely operates the helmet cameras in space suits. In the case of ISS, this officer is referred to as the CATO - Communications And Tracking Officer. In both cases, these persons CONTROL everything which is PERMITTED to go out on broadcast to the public. It is a commonly believed falacy that the cameras are operated by Astronauts & Cosmonauts on the Shuttles, and Space Station. Very little camera work is done by the crews. They're way too busy for that.)

At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.

© 2005 Jeff Challender