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World's tallest rocket roars away, captured in spectacular photo
You're looking at the 253.2-foot Delta 4-Heavy lifting off from launch complex 37B at Cape Canaveral, and yes, that's actually a photograph. Good thing the camera was remotely triggered by photographer Ben Cooper, who used sound activation to snap this shot while he was safely ensconced 3 miles away.
We feel sorry for that camera, though, whose lens was destroyed. The good news is, the camera itself somehow survived this hellish inferno as the world's tallest unmanned rocket roared away from its launchpad. This is such a spectacular photo, we thought at first it was an illustration. Nice work, Mr. Cooper.
By celix7 at 12:21 PM ON 10/02/09
you think if the title reads "worlds tallest rocket..." you might include a little info on how tall the pictured rocket actually is? just sayin.
By Paladin2664 at 12:45 PM ON 10/02/09
Also I'd love to know the technical details of the photo, what camera, lens a little about the setup.... compare to the story about the National Geographic Project to photo the Redwood.
if I had to guess...
On the face the image looks to have been done with a Canon 1Ds MkIII or 5D Mk II with the 14mm Aspherical correction lens.. I base that on the wideness of the shot low angle yet very clean straight lines.
By Realist at 12:47 PM ON 10/02/09
Dvice can't be bothered with all the facts ' n figures. It would detract from their advertising.. er.. I mean news articles..
Anyway, the picture *IS* awesome.
By netmagi at 12:50 PM ON 10/02/09
great pic, but this is 2 yrs old :)
By Charlie White at 1:23 PM ON 10/02/09
@celix7: Thanks for that -- I've added its height, 253.2 feet, to the text.
By jtfan2009 at 4:04 PM ON 10/02/09
I live in Brevard County, about 20 miles from the Cape as the crow flies. The night launches alone make living here great. I've been practicing the long duration night shots (I've a fetish for the streak of light), but this one blows me a way. A fantastic shot. And unfortunately, I missed this one (if it was indeed the last launch)
By WoodChuckVA at 5:18 PM ON 10/02/09
More detail would be helpful. This is the descript from airliners.net. "Delta 4-Heavy roars into orbit with DSP-23, the final Defense Support Program missile-warning satellite, at 8:50pm EST from Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, November 10, 2007. Delta 4-Heavy, over 23 stories tall, is the world's largest rocket by height and most powerful unmanned booster."
By JJ at 3:54 PM ON 10/04/09
@Paladin2664: While the Cooper often shoots with a Canon EOS 10D and a Nikon D200, this photograph was shot with a film camera (although I'm unsure of the make). I believe you will find the following page from the photographer's website enlightening:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_4-Heavy_DSP-23_camera.html
By wrong at 3:56 AM ON 10/11/09
this is not the world's tallest rocket. do some research. saturn V is still the world's tallest rocket.
By michaim at 7:07 PM ON 11/19/09
photo really looks like taken some milli's . . . before sound arrived.
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
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michaim:
photo really looks like taken some milli's . . . before sound arrived....More »