Rockets, Fire, and Brimstone

Raining fire and brimstone -
Delta2 1/19/97 CCAFS LC-17B

For those who've taken a cruise from Port Canaveral, Launch Complex (LC) 17 A & B were the two launch pads closest to the cruise ship terminals.

This explosion was due to a cracked strap-on SRB casing.

The blockhouse (firing room) for LC-17 at this time was only about a half-mile from the pads. When the solid propellant began to fall some of it landed on workers personal vehicles and literally melted some of their parts.

For some addt'l info on this explosion, see:
Untold Stories from the Rocket Ranch

Delta IV Heavy
This is a very good example of what a rocket sounds like from a viewing area. Turn-up your speakers and enjoy.

I never got to see a Saturn V launch in person. For those who did and can still remember I would love to hear of your experiences. What we've flown since largely pales in comparison.