Mike Garber's Space Shuttle takes off.
Unfortunately it was evident that something was very wrong from the start. Flames streaked back from the tip of the External Tank containing the K550 booster motor. The shuttle arced over at about two hundred feet and headed north, flying horizontal! Then the I161 motor in the orbiter lit, and it took off of the ET like a bat out of hell! A spectacular disaster, but no one was hurt.
Apparently the forward seal on the K550 failed and fuel burned through the casing and rocket. It was obvious how much work went into the rocket, and I felt heartsick at seeing so much destroyed in a few moments.
Image © 2000 Gary Hall, used with permission.
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