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markkarvon — Orbit Achieved
Published: 2011-01-10 02:31:35 +0000 UTC; Views: 10714; Favourites: 262; Downloads: 380
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Description
Having spent all its fuel to propel the space shuttle to orbit, the main fuel tank is jettisoned. The tank is destined for a fiery end as it loses altitude and incinerates in the Earth's atmosphere usually over the Pacific Ocean. The shuttle continues on to final orbit. This print shows the Space Shuttle Atlantis as she reaches orbit around the Earth - "Orbit Achieved".This piece was commissioned by a client who preferred a more traditional 3/4 frontal view of the shuttle.
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Comments: 86
No but I do have art featuring Yuri Gagarin and a couple of pieces with Soyuz.
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Uh, yeah. I took the photo while I orbited the Earth in my own personal satellite. LOL!
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The tank vents close after jettison to ensure that the tank will burst as it heats up, facilitating burnup in the atmosphere
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Great work. I could see this hanging on the wall of NASA HQ!
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Thank you very much. Well, I know one print is in the collection of one of the engineers who developed the rocket engines.
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actually I'm pretty sure the external tank does not burn up and is salvaged by NASA to be reused
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Look it up. You can find video of it on YouTube.
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No, you are wrong. The tank burns up over the Pacific.
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ok i was thinking of the srbs
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Yeah, the external tank burns but the SRBs are protected so they can be used again. They get a little singed sometimes, but they are always reusable on a successful mission.
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That's a... painting... as in... with own hands... not photo...
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Who would be there to take THAT photo?
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Lol, yeah. I've seen paintings where I pause and think - is that a real picture? Then realize the camera angle is absolutely impossible!
Like his profile picture (avatar), is a perfect example of that
As a rocket scientist; I can tell you putting anything that close to something just after MECO would be a miracle and a huge achievement, if both launched at the same time.
Having a satellite pass anywhere ~10x that distance would be roughly impossible. Space is big. Very big. And in orbit things are moving at 5 miles every second. Put those two things together and you'll see why there were many people who rationally thought a space docking would be impossible in the early days of spaceflight.
Sorry - Ameteur rocket engineer speaking there
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Dunno, the Russians? DIY spy sattelite? Didn't really get to the bottom of it, but I've seen weirder things happen
But seriously, I just meant it looks so great it's easy to confuse with a photo (several people I pointed to 's gallery wrote back "is he an astronaut or what?" xD).
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when i was a kid in grade school i did a class report on space exploration and the phases of the take off, i got an A+ on my report....You get an A+ for your fine work as well!
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"Atlantis, Houston. Go for the plus X, no trim required."
"Thank you Houston."
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How in the world did I miss this one? Love the angle and lighting.
I live by the WPAFB museum, hoping like mad NASA sends one here.
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Thanks. It will be interesting to see where they end up.
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"MECO. We have MECO."
"Houston, Atlantis, nominal MECO, OMS-1 is not required."
"Copy, nominal MECO, OMS-1 is not required."
Though really this would be awhile after the photo op and the OMS-2 burn to get the periapsis high enough so it doesn't re-enter over the Indian ocean along with the ET...
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Yeah. I thought about adding a little glow in the rear for the OMS but in the end decided to leave it out.
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What a picture! great job sir 
It looks as if it was a photograph! you sir are a true photo-realist.
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wow, whoever your client was has spent his money right, it's awesome
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Thank you very much.
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Truly a beaut Mark, and of course the end of an era for the shuttle.
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Thanks Sam. We are hoping there will be a bit of nostalgia for the shuttle.
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Outstanding piece, as usual!
Kinda saddens me that there are only two launches left till it's all over.
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Thank you very much. I too am sad about the end of the shuttles.
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Very cool Mark! I know it's a fuel tank but this reminds me of seeing a laser guided bomb separating from a fighter!
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[playing Also Sprach Zarathustra in the background]
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