APU Venting on STS-123

From: amstuart (amstuart@sprintmail.com)
Date: Thu Mar 27 2008 - 13:30:56 UTC

  • Next message: David Brierley: "DMB Obs March 26-27" 

     Hi:

 At first I thought a strobe light was flashing near the tail fin of the
 shuttle as it rolled to its night landing. Then, when the orange glow 
became
 more intense,  I thought the shuttle was on fire (!) Finally, a commentator
 on NASA TV stated that APU venting was causing this dramatic image.
What is "APU venting", and why are flames apparently released and not mere
 heat if the term "venting" is used? Is "venting" something that takes place
 on-orbit (ever) and is visible from Earth?

 Thank you.

Adam

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