15-02-2008 13:27

ZZII 527

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

That is an amazing picture. They definitely have the best seat in the house. Any chance there is a higher-res version (1920w or larger)? (I'm shopping for a new desktop wallpaper.)

I take it that is done for security purposes? Has that always been standard operating procedure or just post-9/11?

15-02-2008 13:28

chris31

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Cool pic. What is the purpose of the Raptor being up in the air during launch?

15-02-2008 13:38

Gamer930

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

If you click on the picture it will open a new window with the high resolution version. . . Looks perfect on my desktop. . . I was getting sick of seeing Paris at night on my secondary monitor.

15-02-2008 13:58

EricH

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris31 Cool pic. What is the purpose of the Raptor being up in the air during launch?

15-02-2008 14:02

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

That's sick. The F-22 is bomb.

I can't wait until the USN/USMC gets upgraded from F-18's.

15-02-2008 14:12

Cory

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybee1405 That's sick. The F-22 is bomb. I can't wait until the USN/USMC gets upgraded from F-18's.

15-02-2008 14:23

EricH

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

15-02-2008 14:24

Tom Bottiglieri

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

15-02-2008 15:07

minirose224

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Shane-
This looks to be a higher res link. However I am not sure.
http://www.airshowbuzz.com/files/pho...ig_1_3822f.jpg

15-02-2008 15:44

Elgin Clock

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

It's pictures like these that tend to remind us how far we have come as a society in our relatively short time on this 3rd rock from the Sun, and how much further we could go with some more time.

Very cool.

The first thing that came to my mind though, is wondering if there was a picture from the ground of the Space Shuttle, Raptor, and whatever aircraft that took this picture.

Would be cool to see both perspectives side-by-side.

15-02-2008 16:04

D_Price

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Nice shot of the shuttle launch love it!!

15-02-2008 16:06

billbo911

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by minirose224 Shane- This looks to be a higher res link. However I am not sure. http://www.airshowbuzz.com/files/pho...ig_1_3822f.jpg

15-02-2008 16:23

dlavery

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Pictures like that make me smile.

USAF aircraft, typically launched from nearby Patrick Air Force Base, provide security cover for all NASA and DoD launches out of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They have been doing this ever since the early days of the space program. The Navy performs a similar job on the ocean surface downrange from the launch facility. Their primary responsibility is to provide security for the launch and pre- and post-launch operations. Usually this involves making sure that private aircraft and boats trying to sight-see the launch do not get too close and become a hazard for launch operations. There have been a few occasions in the past where an unauthorized airplane or boat wanders in to the restricted area just at the wrong time, and a launch has to be postponed while the range is cleared (this happened during one of the Mars Rover launch attempts, when a guy participating in a fishing tournament crossed the line from the tournament area into the launch exclusion zone). These USAF and USN folks try very hard to make sure that does not happen, as scrubbing a launch can be a VERY expensive thing to do.

-dave


.

15-02-2008 17:27

alex1699

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamer930 If you click on the picture it will open a new window with the high resolution version. . . Looks perfect on my desktop. . . I was getting sick of seeing Paris at night on my secondary monitor.

15-02-2008 18:18

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory Isn't the Navy getting the JSF and not the F-22?

15-02-2008 18:53

Protronie

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Great more space junk going up... just as some comes down.

Is a cool pic... I still like the F-15 Eagle, course I'm also a fan of the B-52 BUFF.

15-02-2008 19:01

hipsterjr

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

For anyone going to the Florida regional:
A shuttle is scheduled to launch that Wednesday/ Thursday at 1AM. We are going to try to see it.

15-02-2008 20:26

Spiders

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Awsome pic, thnx for sharing. isnt the joint strike fighter gonna be the newest one? im not sure of the name, maybe it is the raptor lol

15-02-2008 20:53

EricH

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiders Awsome pic, thnx for sharing. isnt the joint strike fighter gonna be the newest one? im not sure of the name, maybe it is the raptor lol

15-02-2008 21:55

Billfred

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlavery There have been a few occasions in the past where an unauthorized airplane or boat wanders in to the restricted area just at the wrong time, and a launch has to be postponed while the range is cleared (this happened during one of the Mars Rover launch attempts, when a guy participating in a fishing tournament crossed the line from the tournament area into the launch exclusion zone).

16-02-2008 00:23

M4 Sherman

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

In terms of modern jet fighters, it seems like the Navy just got the f-18, and now their going to replace it.

16-02-2008 14:36

Drew Hopman

Re: pic: USAF F-22 Raptor Jetfighter flying air cover during STS-122 2-7-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlavery ... a launch has to be postponed while the range is cleared (this happened during one of the Mars Rover launch attempts, when a guy participating in a fishing tournament crossed the line from the tournament area into the launch exclusion zone). .