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Xelmon
11/20/09

In reply to Atlantis Engines...or Mickey Mouse Goes to Space
Guys, I shit you not, took me a bit to look at it, and it Kinda, Sorta looks like it! You have to really squint though.
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Segador
11/20/09

In reply to Atlantis Engines...or Mickey Mouse Goes to Space
In '98, I got invited to go watch John Glenn go back in to space aboard STS-95. We sat in the closest observation deck to the launch (closer than Clinton, who we could see behind us).

There is nothing in the world like hearing these engines at full throttle. Even at several miles away, the roar was amazingly intense, like standing in a blast furnace.

I can remember thinking at the time how amazed I was that we as humans could create this. We've got a ways to go before we can actually be considered a space-faring race, but just the fact that we're willing and capable of building machinery like this says a lot.
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ursa
11/20/09

@Segador: you might not have known this but there is a very large noise suppression system for the Shuttle. The engines are loud enough that if they didn't have this it would damage the Shuttle and other items.

You can see the system in operation - it's the water spray that starts up a bit before the main engines light off.
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jakebathman
11/20/09

@ursa: and the huge series of trenches and vents, taking exhaust and all of that sound away from the launch pad. really awesome stuff
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Segador
11/20/09

@ursa: I didn't know that. I can't imagine them being any louder than they were.
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Geisrud
11/20/09

In reply to Atlantis Engines...or Mickey Mouse Goes to Space
"Jesus says it looks like Mickey Mouse"

Jesus is trying too hard to make a joke.
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BergenCountyJC can't beat MW2
11/20/09

In reply to Atlantis Engines...or Mickey Mouse Goes to Space
I hope they can make some whistle tips so I can hear the launch here in Jersey
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Kaiser-Machead
11/20/09

In reply to Atlantis Engines...or Mickey Mouse Goes to Space
Maybe when Mickey was still going through the awkward phases of puberty, in which his ears were the same size as his head.
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The5thElephant
11/16/09

In reply to Atlantis at Dawn
[bit.ly]

See here for HD videos of launch. Great detail and awesome engine-start and booster separation. #space
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KTK1990
11/16/09

In reply to Atlantis at Dawn
Another successful launch, such a beautiful thing.

I do wish nasa had a site where it would have multiple camera views and you could watch one, or them all. Instead of watching 3 webcams, the one you provided, nasa's webcam, and the nasa channel on the tv.

And hopefully they will put a camera on one of the astronaut's helmet, so we can see from their view. #space
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Geisrud
11/16/09

In reply to Atlantis at Dawn
STS-130 Endeavour: ISS assembly flight 20A: Node 3 and Cupola. February 4, 2010

About time they get some damn cupholders in the ISS #space
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KTK1990
11/16/09

In reply to Atlantis at Dawn
It is sad that the beautiful space ship is being retired soon. But, I cant wait to see (and hopefully go up on) the next vehicle that takes us to space. #space
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BergenCountyJC can't beat MW2
11/16/09

@KTK1990: Dang, I wish I had enough cash sitting pretty for a space flight #space
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KTK1990
11/16/09

@BergenCountyJC: I wish i had enough too. #space
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MegaZone
08/13/09

In reply to 10 Machines So Huge They'll Destroy Your Sense of Scale
The B-2 is pretty big, but it seems out of place on this list. The C-5, An-124, An-225, B747, or A380 are even more impressive, if not as alien looking.
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Gann
08/11/09

In reply to 10 Machines So Huge They'll Destroy Your Sense of Scale

My favorite massive machine has always been the C5 Galaxy.
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Gann
08/11/09

@Gann: Here it is NOMMING on an M1
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Nathan Bingham
08/11/09

@Gann: I was always partial to the antonov an-225
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MegaZone
08/13/09

@Nathan Bingham: That's an An-124, not the An-225. The -225 is a larger derivative of the -124 originally designed to carry Buran. It has 6 engines instead of 4, using the same outer wing sections attached to an extended inner wing. And it has twin vertical tails on the ends of the horizontal stabilizer, not the single vertical tail of the -124 seen here.
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UnderLoK
08/11/09

In reply to Massive Machines Gallery
I’ve never seen that helicopter before, that thing is crazy.
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Rex the Decadent
08/11/09

In reply to 10 Machines So Huge They'll Destroy Your Sense of Scale
I have ridden the yellow beast featured at the top. For the uninitiated, its called a 'HaulPak' truck, a very common piece of machinery used in most of the open cast mines everywhere in the world. The tires are about 11 feet high, and the height of the riding cabin is 22 fricking feet. The best part, there are no gears! The entire thing is completely hydraulic and in the words of the driver "even a 3 year old can drive it".
The skill lies in manoeuvring the damn thing, I myself have seen a Jeep being crushed to nothingness with this. Apparently the guy was sleeping on the trucks steering wheel (!) and saw his supervisor coming from a distance. So he hurriedly put the thing in motion and did not see the Jeep (with people inside) right ahead of it. Sadly, those sitting inside did see the yellow monster and jumped out in time.
One of these machines costs about $25-30K.
The largest beast I personally have been on is this:
[en.wikipedia.org]
I think the one featured in image 8.
Thank god I did not pursue mining.
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grindel
08/11/09

@rexsjain:
I work in Peoria, IL where we make these machines. The 960E has 12.5 foot diameter tires, carries 360 tons for an all up weight of 1.4 million pounds travelling at 45 mph. It is powered by a diesel electric powertrain. (i.e. all of the 3500 hp from the 78 liter V20 engine is converted to electricity and delivered to wheel motors in the back) You slipped a couple digits on the cost. I don't think you would be able to buy a 960E for less than 4 million.
yeah, visibility is a problem, some install cameras all around, but they have trouble living on haul roads.
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Rex the Decadent
08/12/09

@grindel: Hey, thanks for correcting the mistakes and providing accurate figures. It has been about 4 years since I last came across one of these. The price? I converted it from Indian Rupees, and hence the fuck up.
You make these machines? Damn nice.
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MacBandit
08/10/09

In reply to Massive Machines Gallery
Nice article but the editor might be remiss in their knowledge of the Spruce Goose.
Planes were made from wood for a long time before they started using aluminum and steel. There's really nothing wrong with using it except that it weighs more than a similar structure made of aluminum.
Also it might be noted that the Spruce Goose was a response to both a question (can it be done) and a need (the lack of steel and aluminum during the war).
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John Herrman
08/12/09

@MacBandit: Yes, but for the sake of brevity, I decided to just make fun of it.
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MacBandit
08/12/09

@John Herrman:
I've seen it in person and once you do that it's hard to make fun of. Very impressive piece of engineering.
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Edited by MacBandit at 08/12/09 2:57 AM MacBandit was starred MacBandit was unstarred

Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
08/10/09

In reply to Massive Machines Gallery
The Seawise Giant (Knock Nevis) is no longer considered a ship. Technically it's a floating oil storage tank used to fuel other tankers.
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