Space shuttle seen from aircraft

[TheHalf™]

Passengers on a flight from Orlando, Florida to Richmond, Virginia were treated to an unexpected kind of entertainment when they saw the Shuttle off of the left side of the plane.

Video

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/GE_USPTmYXM&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/GE_USPTmYXM&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0</a>

Complete story--->http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20110227/tr_yblog_upshot/space-shuttle-seen-from-above

TheHalf™

[Synbios]

This is just incredible. Even more incredible is that somebody had their camera ready to go and recorded the whole thing. Even more incredible than that is the fact the plane was even allowed to be that close to the space shuttle.

[chelseaman]

Super pictures TheHalf. Enjoyed this.
Probablly should remind billy of his first flight when that wee girls dad was chasing him out the back window.
cheers

[TheHalf™]

yea, I am awed at the fact that these people seen it from the air as opposed to the ground. AMAZING!

TheHalf™

[billyfridge]

STFU Chelseaboy, Minlo had forgotten about that , he said he would launch me into space if he caught me

[TheHalf™]

This is just incredible. Even more incredible is that somebody had their camera ready to go and recorded the whole thing. Even more incredible than that is the fact the plane was even allowed to be that close to the space shuttle.

I am not good on judging distance via airspace, but I'll bet that the launch was better than 5 nmi miles airspace. Anyone familiar with distance of measurment in air?

TheHalf™

[chip!]

well i know that space shuttle looks tiny... so i bet its pretty far away.. i would have guessed 50-60 miles away.   

also, i found this interesting:

FAA Part 91, Part 125, general aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a 30 nautical mile radius of Launch Pad 39-B from the surface to but not including 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30 nautical miles). Among the general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, Merritt Island Airport in Merritt Island, Rockledge Airpark in Rockledge and Massey Ranch in Edgewater.

Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of Pad 39-B, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and clearance granted from air traffic control before entering this airspace. Continuous radio communications must be maintained.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2005/58-05.html

[TheHalf™]

kinda want to watch 'Countdown' by Rush now. Good info. chip..

TheHalf™

[Synbios]

Well, that pretty much answers our question chip, nice find.