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| 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. |
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| STS-114
Liftoff |
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| Belly
Inspection |
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| Inside
ISSy |
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| Robinson
On EVA |
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| STS-114
Landing |
| THE
EVENT |
This is the FINAL event from STS-114 This "live" downlink event took place on 7 August 2005 (6:56 GMT). The pictures seen on this page were recorded from NASA Select TV as Shuttle Discovery orbited high above southern Russia. When these "Pink" lakes first caught my attention, I was extremely surprised to say the least. The first one was shocking enough, but when a second one appeared, it was too much and I took notes to remind me where this was on the tape. I believe what we are seeing here is a vast area of severe chemical pollution. Pollution is not my area of expertise, but I can't think of anything else which would cause entire lakes to be tinted the color pink. In addition, as the INCO backed off on the telescopic zoom, the entire region including became visble. The Caspian Sea was included in the view, and it too was showing signs of heavy pollution. Astronauts and Cosmonauts have often spoken of a changed attitude toward our home planet after seeing her from outer space. They talk of all humanity being confined to this single ball of rock, and political boundaries being invisible from "up there". They have reminded us many times that we are fouling the only nest we have, and that we'd best "clean up our act", or there won't BE one... Will we destroy the ecosystem of Earth to such an extent that she will no longer support life as we know it? Is it perhaps too late? Let's have a good long look at the pictures below, and think about what is happening to the only home humanity has. |
| SETTING
THE SCENE |
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This is NASA's computer generated display showing where Discovery was at the time of this incident. As you can see for yourself, the Shuttle was over southern Russia, and it was mid-morning on the ground. |
| THE
POLLUTED LAKES |
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Imagine my surprise when this ghostly apparition appeared on my TV screen. It rather bears some resemblence to a jelly fish, does it not? |
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Perhaps even the INCO was surprised, as he immediately zoomed in tight for a closer look. Believe it or not, this is a LAKE in Russia. It's so polluted with some chemical that it is PINK! |
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Some thirty seconds or so after the first lake exited the field of view, this second PINK lake appeared in Discovery's camera. Now we are seeing a pattern of pollution over an entire region. |
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A moment after the second pink lake was gone from the scene, the telescopic zoom was backed off, and we were able to see the larger area. The Caspian Sea is to the lower right. Whatever is polluting those lakes to the northwest is finding its way through the rivers to the Caspian. You can see obvious discoloration in the waters of that sea below. |
The region is heavily involved with Russia's oil industry, being the prime source of petroleum for that nation. Could this be the cause for pink lakes? By the way, the Caspian Sea is home to the Beluga Sturgeon, from whence comes the famous and prized caviar. Feel like eating some now? ...Yum! Yum! A more recent sighting of these same lakes in 2006 is available here: STS-115 Pollution From Orbit 09/06 *** New information regarding this event has been contributed by Dr. Stephen McKay of the UK. Looks like this mystery has been solved!
Hi
Jeff
*** At all times during this event, the camera was under the direct remote control of the INCO. (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
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