The STS-116 Space Shuttle launch
December 9, 2006
These photos were taken by me, Fred Bruenjes, at the STS-116 Space Shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center, in Florida. I enjoyed the STS-114 daytime launch so much, I came back to see the first night launch in four years. I decided to view the launch with friends, so these photos were taken from the public viewing site on the NASA causeway. This is an expensive option, the launch transportation tickets are overpriced and people should once again be allowed to drive their vehicles directly onto the causeway.
The first launch attempt on December 7th was scrubbed due to weather.
On the 7th, the moon rose shortly after sunset.
On the 9th, everything worked out and the shuttle lifted off on time!
The shuttle quickly rolled to the proper orientation to meet up with the space station.
A 30 second time exposure shows the shuttle piercing the clouds.
Over two minutes after launch, the solid rocket boosters separated.
We could still see the shuttle about five minutes after launch, now just a pinpoint nearing the horizon. We lost it in the clouds shortly after this photo.
This night launch was amazing, with the shuttle lighting up the night sky and surroundings. It was equally amazing to see it go from something recognizable and familiar on the launch pad, to being a satellite orbiting the Earth!