Launch was 12-JAN-97 / 09:27:23.056 UTC
This boost phase description was valid for a location of 37.07N, -76.37W, the location of Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. This mission ascended into a 51.6 degree orbit to rendezvous with the Russian Space Station Mir.
Atlantis (STS-81), launched Sunday January 12 at 04:27 AM EST (09:27 UTC). The orbit inclination was 51.6 degrees which brought Atlantis up the US East Coast about 200 miles east of the Virginia Capes during the boost phase. The launch plumes of the Shuttle main engines were observed approximately 5 minutes after liftoff from an azimuth beginning about 150 and ending at about 85 degrees, with a maximum elevation of about 20 degrees at an azimuth of 110 degrees. The plumes were distinctly orange-red and were vectored downward about 30 degrees with respect to the direction of ascent.
The plumes were not steady, but flashed irregularly at about 1.5 Hz (estimated magnitude varying from (+4 to -2) until the last minute of the boost phase when the plume shape finally became steady. About 20 seconds after main engine cutoff, another bright flash occured, this was the jettisoning of the external tank after which no further observations were possible. Binoculars presented a great view of the plume shape and colors.