This footage from the upcoming special edition Blu-ray version of NASA's documentary Ascent: Commemorating the Space Shuttle was captured by the cameras on a shuttle's Solid Booster Rocket as it blasted off, separated from the orbiter and splashed back down to Earth.

The video is notable for being the first-ever HD booster cam footage, and the audio has been mixed and enhanced by Skywalker Sound.

Ascent's special edition isn't available yet, but this extra made its way to the Internet thanks to former Space Shuttle Program staff member Michael Interbartolo, who posted it on Google+ earlier today.

[kottke]

YouTuber vinciverse created his own Lego tribute to NASA's space shuttle program, launching a Lego space shuttle (model 3367) toward space aboard a helium weather balloon.

While it didn't quite reach space, it did hit an altitude of around 21 miles, "proving that although retired, this machine can still fly, albeit in toy form."

Although the Lego shuttle had a GPS tracker on board when it took off from central Germany, its creator didn't mention where it eventually touched down.

[marysue]

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