Countdown

(Coming up on 45 minute point in our countdown

Everything going smoothly

T-minus 45 minutes and counting

Coming up on t-minus 40 minutes

T-minus 40 minutes and counting

This is Shuttle launch control)

Lit up with anticipation

We arrive at the launching site

The sky is still dark, nearing dawn

On the Florida coastline

Circling choppers slash the night

With roving searchlight beams

This magic day when super-science

Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams

(We have an AEO abort go for test

Tester says they are go for launch

At the present time we know of no major problems

As we enter this final hold)

Floodlit in the hazy distance

The star of this unearthly show

Venting vapours, like the breath

Of a sleeping white dragon

Crackling speakers, voices tense

Resume the final count

All systems check, T minus nine

As the sun and the drama start to mount

The air is charged - a humid, motionless mass

The crowds and the cameras

The cars full of spectators pass

Excitement so thick - you could cut it with a knife

Technology - high, on the leading edge of life

(T minus 27 seconds

We have gone to redundant sequencers start

T minus 20 seconds and counting

T minus 15, 14, 13

T minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four

We have rocket main engine start

We have main engine start

We have liftoff)

The earth beneath us starts to tremble

With the spreading of a low black cloud

(The shuttle has cleared the tower)

A thunderous roar shakes the air

Like the whole world exploding

(Rocket is en route)

Scorching blast of golden fire

As it slowly leaves the ground

Tears away with a mighty force

The air is shattered by the awesome sound

(T plus 30 seconds, plus 35

Columbia-Houston you are go at 40)

Excitement so thick - you could cut it with a knife

Technology - high, on the leading edge of life

Like a pillar of cloud, the smoke lingers

High in the air

In fascination - with the eyes of the world

We stare...

(Columbia is now turning towards its precise window

In space for main engine cutoff

... 40 seconds

Columbia now 39 nautical miles altitude

42 nautical miles downrange

- Columbia you are looking a little hot and all your calls will be a little early

Young and Crippen really moving out now

Velocity now reading 6200 feet per second

- What a view, what a view

Glad you are enjoying it

G800 to LOS

Columbia Houston, we have 40 seconds to LOS

You're looking good burning over the hill, we will see you in Madrid

- And we enjoyed the music Bob thank you

We enjoyed it, just wanted to share some with you)