What does the launch feel like?
This is no doubt one of the most exciting parts of the mission. After the ground crew helps you strap into the seat and connect your launch/entry suit (a modified SR-71 spy jet ejection suit) to communications lines, cooling water, and oxygen, they leave and seal the middeck hatch. A leak test to ensure cabin integrity makes a loud hissing sound. All of this adds to the anticipation of the launch. As the countdown continues, the vehicle seems to come alive since I felt vibrations and bumps, and heard noises, as Columbia made final preparations to bolt skyward. At about 6-1/2 seconds before launch (T-6.5 sec.), the three Main Engines ignite and the entire Shuttle vibrates. A T-0 the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) ignite and the Shuttle is released. The noise and vibration increase and you feel the acceleration skyward. However, the ascent is not so violent that you cannot communicate through the headset. As it picks up speed through the thick lower atmosphere, pressure on the Shuttle incr
