(Space Shuttle Clip) T-minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five,
four, three, two, one. Booster ignition and a lift off of Space Shuttle
Atlantis. A tribute to the dedication and hard work
and pride of America's Space Shuttle team.
Bypass on your course. No action. Houston now miles an hour and the state of
Atlantis right now six miles in altitude. Nine miles down range.
The engines combined with the Solid Rocket Boosters produce more
than seven million pounds of thrust. One minute fifty seconds into the flight we
are standing by for separation of the twin Solid Rocket Boosters.
Booster off, it's the confirmed staging of good Solid Rocket Boosters.
Booster separation confirmed. The Solid Rocket Boosters have done their
job and Atlantis is continuing in its due easterly course, dynamic
pressure. Atlantis, Houson, no action on the SPFB2 out
Solid Rocket Boosters consist of multiple
parts. Nose cone, motor casings or segments an aft
skirt and a nozzel. The motor casings contain solid propellant.
That propellant initially is in a liquid cake batter type form.
Which is stirred and cured and hardened. So in the final state the propellant is in
a solid form that is similar to that of an easer on a pencil.
The propellant is at lift off, or T-0, it is ignited using a small Solid
Rocket Loader Igniter. Which then burns the main propellant injecting
thrust or exhaust out into the Rocket Booster.
That thrust is what produces a large amount of force at lift off which
allows the, for example the space shuttle to ascend quickly through
the atmosphere. This Solid Rocket Booster will burn for around
two minutes and then jettison, separating from the Space Shuttle
system, land in the ocean and be returned for use later.
The roll of the Solid Rocket Booster in the launch process is to
provide a large amount of force or thrust to get the launch vehicle off
the ground as quickly as possible. Once it is turned on or ignited the Solid
Rocket Booster provides that large amount of push or acceleration to get
that launch vehicle through that atmosphere and up to speed as
quickly as it can. So that way when the launch Solid Rocket Boosters
have finished their burn and are separated from the vehicle
the launch vehicle has enough acceleration that it can continue it's
mission and achieve orbit or space.
Several years ago I took my family to Titusville, Florida
to watch up close history in the
making. It was the final launch of the space shuttle
Atlantis. In fact this is a scale model of that very
space shuttle which has been de-commissioned. It is no longer in use.
But I remember that day. We gathered there on the beach with what
seemed like thousands of other people. We waited for hours for the big moment to
arrive. And then the countdown started.
Everyone stood up on their feet and looked towards Cape Canaveral,
Kennedy Space Center waiting for that moment. And then we heard it.
Those solid rocket boosters ignited producing an awe inspiring
explosion of energy. Even from quite a distance away it was awesome.
Those flames and smoke were pouring out of the solid rocket
boosters. It looked like a waterfall of liquid fire.
The ground began to shake. And then the space shuttle began to ascend,
slowly at first. But it began picking up speed and momentum.
And soon that space shuttle was blasting off into outer space at an
incredible rate. And as Atlantis was racing to space for the
final time I saw in those powerful rocket boosters a profound metaphor.
You see those rocket boosters do not exist for themselves.
Their purpose is found in propelling forward something that is of
greater significance than they are. They would have no reason to exist were it
not for that space shuttle.
It is the space shuttle and it's mission that gives meaning to the
rockets.
One day your mortal life force will fall away
and disappear in an ocean of obscurity.
But my friend that's not the end of the story because although our
lives will one day come to an end the Kingdom of God will continue
moving forward to victory. And here in lies our greatest opportunity.
With our mortal hands we can help to build God's eternal Kingdom.
And my friend, that's the greatest priviledge that any human being
can have.
These do not exist for themselves.
Their only reason for existence is to push the space shuttle forward
and this is depending upon the rocket boosters. My friend you are not the space shuttle in
my metaphor you are the rocket booster.
This is not your life. This is your life.
This is the Kingdom of God and your purpose is found in pushing
this forward.