Six weeks, and over 100 hours of footage shot on several Canon EOS 5D Mark IIs culminate in this remarkable, 4-minute time lapse of the second to last Space Shuttle Discovery launch.
With the help of everyone from shuttle technicians to crane operators to escorts (86-year-old NASA retiree Charlie Parker was particularly valuable in squiring Andrews’ team around) the photographers positioned multiple cameras—up to nine at any one time—inside the cavernous assembly building to click away while the orbiter, fuel tank, and twin solid rocket boosters were “stacked†for launch.
Scott Andrews figures the finished video represents tens of thousands of individual frames and at least 100 hours of shooting, using the highest-resolution digital single-lens-reflex cameras on the market. Jirman did the color correction, which took a week alone.
PS – Sorry about the stupid auto starting video! Whoever in the hell shared this should have know better than to auto-launch videos. Especially ones that start with a freakin commercial!
Space Shuttle Discovery Timelapse Photos
Below are some screen captures from the video. A few are interesting enough that they might make a decent desktop wallpaper.
The image shows the Space Shuttle Discovery during a maintenance process inside a spacious hangar, highlighting its size and engineering details.
A dynamic view of the Discovery shuttle during launch, showcasing the powerful ascent in a time lapse.
The Space Shuttle Discovery is positioned inside the launch pad tower, ready for its historic space mission.
The Space Shuttle Discovery is housed inside a large hangar with scaffolding and lighting for maintenance and inspection.
A stunning time lapse image of the Space Shuttle Discovery preparing for launch, showcasing its massive size and intricate details.
The Space Shuttle Discovery prepared for launch, showcasing its boosters and external tank in the assembly bay.
The Space Shuttle Discovery is shown during assembly inside the launch complex, ready for its historic space mission.
The Space Shuttle Discovery is prepared for launch from the Vehicle Assembly Building, captured during final countdown.
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off during a nighttime launch, showcasing its powerful engines and bright flames.
The Space Shuttle Discovery prepares for launch, showcasing the powerful boosters and external tank at night.
The Space Shuttle Discovery prepares for launch from Kennedy Space Center.
Time lapse video capturing the Space Shuttle Discovery on the launch pad before liftoff.
Time lapse of the Space Shuttle Discovery preparing for launch, showcasing the launch pad and rocket infrastructure.
Time lapse of Space Shuttle Discovery preparing for launch, showcasing the rocket against a dark sky.
The Space Shuttle Discovery positioned on the launch pad, preparing for a historic space mission.
The Space Shuttle Discovery during launch, capturing the fiery ignition and sparks as it begins its journey into space.
The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off, showcasing powerful flames and smoke during launch.
Time lapse of the Space Shuttle Discovery launch, capturing the fiery blast and smoke as it ascends into space.
The Space Shuttle Discovery during assembly, showcasing its external structure and components in a NASA hangar.
The Space Shuttle Discovery ready for launch, captured during a time lapse video, showcasing its massive size and launch site surroundings.
Aerial view of the Space Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center, showing the launch pad and surrounding facilities during a space mission event.
A top-down view of the Space Shuttle Discovery resting inside its hangar, ready for launch.
The Space Shuttle Discovery undergoing maintenance inside a spacious hangar, captured during a detailed inspection process.
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John P.
John P. is a former CEO, former TV Show Host, and the Founder and Wizard behind Texas Metal Works. You can find him on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Feel free to send shoutouts, insults, and praise.
J.P. Morgan was interested in buying a pearl pin. The jeweler he approached found the perfect pin and sent it in a box to…
4 Comments
Amazing photos, I have a few good ones of some taking off from JFK! I live in florida and always love when NASA has a launch! I just go outside and look up…..you can see it from almost anywhere in the state !!!! Pretty cool (looks like a small ball of fire leaving earth from where I am) thanks for the photos!!!
Very interesting article with extremely good photos bravo!
Thanks to Mitch over at Planet5D for finding this little gem…
Amazing photos, I have a few good ones of some taking off from JFK! I live in florida and always love when NASA has a launch! I just go outside and look up…..you can see it from almost anywhere in the state !!!! Pretty cool (looks like a small ball of fire leaving earth from where I am) thanks for the photos!!!
Very interesting article with extremely good photos bravo!
That was totally freaking awesome!!!! :D
Nice Photographs … ;)