Ever wonder how they recovered the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters?

[A HERETIC I AM]

The SRB's separated from the main fuel tank some 75 seconds after liftoff and then dropped into the ocean, their descent slowed by parachutes. Here's a video of the two boats tasked with their recovery.

Here is a really cool onboard video of their ride;

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

1. Yes I have.

I knew they were salvaged, yet I had never seen the tape. Pretty cool.

[proud patriot]

2. Cool !

thanks

[doc03]

3. I am going to the Kennedy Space Center tomorrow I hope to see the launch of the

Atlas V MAVEN to Mars, supposed to launch between 1:30 - 3:30 PM. I am excited never saw a launch except on TV before.

[csziggy]

5. Check on where you can view from - they used to close the space center for launches

My sister watched one of the Apollo lift offs from the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge but when we visited a number of years ago while a shuttle was being prepared for launch, there were notices up that parts of the refuge would be closed on launch days.

The same trip, we could see the shuttle on the pad from across the water from a restaurant parking lot in Titusville - it would be a great place to watch a launch from!

[doc03]

6. I purchased tickets for the KSC tour weeks ago when I received the e-mail announcing the

launch the viewing of the launch is supposed to be included in the tour. Also the new Atlantis Center is now open. I hope I
don't get screwed I came from Ohio for it.

[csziggy]

8. Cool - I've never seen a launch up close

Because of the uncertainty of timing. How do you get on the mailing list to find out when they are?

We used to watch the Apollo launches from the center of the state - Dad figured out the exact viewpoint and the timing. About the time we could see the rockets coming over the tree tops and buildings, the rumble of those big rockets would reach our little town. But my parents could never take off from work to go to the Cape for a launch.

[doc03]

9. I toured the KSC February this year and they have been sending e-mails ever since. Go to KSC

web site and request e-mail notifications. They seem to launch something about every month. I don't think they let people
on the SC for shuttle launches for safety reasons. The tour director said that if you were within a half mile
you would be incinerated. The space shuttle vehicle had three times the thrust that the Atlas V has.

on edit: try nasa.gov/mission/schedule

[csziggy]

12. Thanks!

If I can go a few months with no surgeries, maybe I can make a launch!

[Stainless]

14. There are no more shuttle launches scheduled

The space shuttle vehicles have been retired and the entire program was shut down about 3 years ago. NASA is working on new ways to put humans in space, but for now the USA has to rely on the Russians to get men to the Space Station. However, the Space Station is not in NASA's budget for much longer either. The space station is set to be abandoned and will eventually return to earth in a ball of fire. Pretty stupid when you think about it.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. Neat!

I'll have to watch the southern skies tomorrow!

Have fun.

[progressoid]

11. I was able to see a shuttle launch a few years ago.

We were a few miles away and it was still waaaay cool!

Enjoy!

[KentuckyWoman]

4. that's cool...very cool

[kestrel91316]

10. My college BF's dad designed and built those things while working

at Martin Marietta in Denver, CO and then Slidell, LA.

[Stainless]

13. The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters were all made in Utah

By a company called Thiokol and later ATK. I worked in facilities engineering at ATK's Plant near Magna, Utah for several years. The Space Shuttle Solid Motors were manufactured in Clearfield, Utah and Promontory, Utah. Martin Marietta Was the primary contractor for the liquid rocket motors which were attached to the Space Shuttle and went into orbit with the vehicle. This thread is about the Solid Boosters not the liquid motors.

[A HERETIC I AM]

15. Martin Marietta wasn't the prime contractor for the Shuttle main engines, It was Rocketdyne.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocketdyne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocketdyne_RS-25

[kestrel91316]

16. Oh, I guess I'm remembering it wrong. He was never in UT.

But the BF told me all about the SRBs.

[tammywammy]

17. Martin Marietta (Lockheed Martin) made the external tank

If he was in Louisiana then that's what he was working on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_external_tank

[kestrel91316]

18. That's it.

[Glassunion]

19. Wow! I always pictured an

Outfielder yelling "I got it! I got it!"