NASA Photo ID: STS050(S)039       File Name: 10065253.gif 
 
Film Type: 35mm CN                Date Taken: 07/09/92 
 
Title: STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39A 
 
Description: 
 
STS-50 Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, lifts off from Kennedy Space  
Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 12:12:23:0534 pm (Eastern  
Daylight Time (EDT)). In this distant view, a cactus (prickly pear), 
foliage,  and a waterway are seen in the foreground as OV-102, in the 
distance, rockets  toward the beginning of its scheduled record 13-day 
mission in Earth orbit.   An exhaust cloud covers the launch pad area with 
only the sound supression  water system tank visible (at right).  OV-102, 
atop its external tank (ET)  and flanked by two solid rocket boosters 
(SRBs), has cleared the launch tower  and is moments away from its roll 
maneuver.  OV-102 is NASA's first extended  duration orbiter (EDO).  The 
diamond shock effect is visible at OV-102's  three space shuttle main 
engines (SSMEs).