I am online for STS-118, but have limited online time. I am anticipating
logout at 18:53 PDT, roughly 6 minutes after MECO. This message should be
timestamped for the minute before.

I got online just in time for the polls at the end of the hold before the 9
minute final count.

The PAO commentary is unusually detailed for the final count. The pelicans
must be getting nervous I think.

Lift off is good.
Roll is good.
There's the usual crap on the RocketCam, it goes away before Max-q;
probably just water condensed from the GOX vent.
There was a lot of Mach wave condensation. There also appears to be a lot
of near max-q SRB plume recirculation.
I thought I saw a chunk come off the LH SRB, that's one for the PWG. It
might have been an anomaly in my player, too.
The ET in the Rocketcam looks perfect. The belly reflected lighting is very
good.
The PAO noted the activation of the flash evaporator. That's the first time
I've heard that during an ascent.
This must be dang near the clearest RocketCam signal in history. Ecliptic
must be proud.
At about 7:30 MET, the RocketCam signal is starting to break up, probably
due to plasma interference. I can see some plasma too, so this is
unsurprising. Then it clears right up! cool.
There's a venting coming off the RH wing, must be the APU exhaust. Dang
this is good RocketCam! I didn't think it was possible to get such a good
RocketCam view.

Anyway, I'm about to drop off. This looks like a very good, very boring
ascent. See you all later.


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