Space Shuttle Scene in Superman Returns

Wheatmaster

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2002
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In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?
 

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
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81
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)
 

Wheatmaster

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2002
3,882
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Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)

well i guess they call him superman for a reason -_- haha
 

DnetMHZ

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2001
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The Space shuttle can be transported piggy-back on a plane, not launched.
 

McGyver

Golden Member
Nov 21, 2002
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this has been done in the past.

i believe superman with his super x-ray vision has assessed the structural framework of the crystal formation in under a billionth of a second. come on, it's a movie. do we need every doubt/question to be answered?
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
6,407
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Originally posted by: McGyver
this has been done in the past.

i believe superman with his super x-ray vision has assessed the structural framework of the crystal formation in under a billionth of a second. come on, it's a movie. do we need every doubt/question to be answered?

I was reasonably sure that the 747 carries the space shuttle around (and performs the gliding tsets); the shuttle doesn't launch into space from it.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)

One of the ways discussed for future spacecrafts.
 

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
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There were originally plans to launch it like that, I think. Either that or they just copied it from Moonraker.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
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Fow all of you who are asking the question: Yes, air launches of spacecraft can and do happen, with relative regularity, actually. The shuttle was definitely originally going to be an air launched vehicle, but the funding was never available to develop a 'mothership' craft, so they had no choice but to strap on some boosters and a fuel tank.
 

Night201

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)

I was thinking the same thing. Also, if I was Superman, I'd just:
1. Use my eyes and burn Lex until he dies.
2. Kidnap Lex, tie him up (in like 1 second) and then:
a. fly him out into space
b. drop him from 10,000 feet
c. put him in the ocean
 

iwantanewcomputer

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2004
5,045
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so is right...only problem now is the shuttle doesn't carry enough fuel to get into orbit from the max height of a 747. they would need a bigger plane that can fly much higher to get the shuttle up
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
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I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.
 

TankGuys

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2005
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If memory serves, the only time the shuttle has been "launched" from the back of the 747 was for basic flight testing during the design stages. The shuttle cannot launch into orbital flight from the back of the plane.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
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Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"
 

Lord Zado

Senior member
Jan 21, 2005
263
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Originally posted by: Night201
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)

I was thinking the same thing. Also, if I was Superman, I'd just:
1. Use my eyes and burn Lex until he dies.
2. Kidnap Lex, tie him up (in like 1 second) and then:
a. fly him out into space
b. drop him from 10,000 feet
c. put him in the ocean


Except that would violate the unofficial "Superheros must never actually kill the bad guy" rule. I agree though that the whole concept of him lifting the entire continent into space is cheesy, when just moments before he was beat to a pulp by 3 street thugs while merely standing on the island. Just before he lifted it, he flew into the clouds, so the sun "energized" him or something and he burned a hole in the clouds so the sun shown through. I guess that is what the directors were going for...it took a little bit of time for the kryptonite to take effect. If you recall, he flew all the way to the island and only after chatting with Lex for a while did he realize he lost his power.

My memory is a bit rusty, but in the old movies, didn't Superman almost go numb the very instant he was near kryptonite?
 
Jun 19, 2004
10,860
1
81
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"



Kryptonite was only radioactive to Krptonian people, not humans according to this movie....at least that's what I got from it.
 

Lord Zado

Senior member
Jan 21, 2005
263
0
0
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"

Or "Who makes an apartment on a continent that is still forming?" He lived in an amazingly huge house, but instead feels right at home in this barren, rocky wasteland with constant earthquakes and giant pointy crystals popping out of nowhere.
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
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Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"



Kryptonite was only radioactive to Krptonian people, not humans according to this movie....at least that's what I got from it.

Yep. In comic book land though (or at least the DC Animated Universe) prolonged exposure to Kryptonite can result in illness.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,923
17
81
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"



Kryptonite was only radioactive to Krptonian people, not humans according to this movie....at least that's what I got from it.

I guess that makes as much sense as the rest of the plot....

Like when and where did the big S find time to bone LL without getting out of costume or anyone noticing?
 

preslove

Lifer
Sep 10, 2003
16,754
64
91
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: JS80
I think the question to ask is how you make billions of dollars by destroying the US and trying to sell new real estate that's barren wasteland.

How about "What was Lex's plan for dealing with the lymphoma that would inevetably ensue from moving to a radioactive wasteland"



Kryptonite was only radioactive to Krptonian people, not humans according to this movie....at least that's what I got from it.

I guess that makes as much sense as the rest of the plot....
That's just classic superman.

Like when and where did the big S find time to bone LL without getting out of costume or anyone noticing?

It happened in superman II.
 

spikespiegal

Golden Member
Oct 10, 2005
1,219
9
76
I agree though that the whole concept of him lifting the entire continent into space is cheesy

I thought Superman stalking Lois lane for two hours was 'cheezy'. If I was her boyfriend and Superman was hovering outside like a peeping Tom, I'd be loading up the old 12gauge with Kryptonite buck-shot.

Otherwise, a dumb, ponderous movie.
 

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
12
81
Originally posted by: Lord Zado
Originally posted by: Night201
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
In the space shuttle scene in Superman Returns, a space shuttle is attempting to launch off a "777" into space. Is that even possible? Will they do that in the future?

i believe that have done that in the past.

how come he loses all his power on that krypto island when he lands on it, yet he can lift the whole thing when krypto things are sticking out from the bottom?

and lets say he is that super strong, how can other things be strong enough to not break into pieces when its been lifted in such a small point.? (airplane... island... whatelse does he lift :p)

I was thinking the same thing. Also, if I was Superman, I'd just:
1. Use my eyes and burn Lex until he dies.
2. Kidnap Lex, tie him up (in like 1 second) and then:
a. fly him out into space
b. drop him from 10,000 feet
c. put him in the ocean


Except that would violate the unofficial "Superheros must never actually kill the bad guy" rule. I agree though that the whole concept of him lifting the entire continent into space is cheesy, when just moments before he was beat to a pulp by 3 street thugs while merely standing on the island. Just before he lifted it, he flew into the clouds, so the sun "energized" him or something and he burned a hole in the clouds so the sun shown through. I guess that is what the directors were going for...it took a little bit of time for the kryptonite to take effect. If you recall, he flew all the way to the island and only after chatting with Lex for a while did he realize he lost his power.

My memory is a bit rusty, but in the old movies, didn't Superman almost go numb the very instant he was near kryptonite?


yes if you recall, he flew onto it and immediatly lost his powers in minutes.. yet he was able to lift the damn thing ? there is no unofficial rule for superheroes never killing... how do you think wolverine fights :D, slighting legs only? heh...
 
Jun 19, 2004
10,860
1
81
One big gaping WTF for me in the movie was why did he come back encased in a crystal "vehicle"? Or were the crystals jutting from the ground a result of his impact somehow????

BTW, did they show Super Schlong in that scene where Martha was holding him after he crash landed?
 

funks

Golden Member
Nov 9, 2000
1,402
44
91
Regarding lifting the continent..

Didn't superman cut out a large part of the continent underneath (I remember seing him doing the eye beam thing while swimming down).. Maybe kryptonians have to get real close to kryptonite before feeling it's effects..

 
Jun 19, 2004
10,860
1
81
Originally posted by: funks
Regarding lifting the continent..

Didn't superman cut out a large part of the continent underneath (I remember seing him doing the eye beam thing while swimming down).. Maybe kryptonians have to get real close to kryptonite before feeling it's effects..



Yeah, they showed traces of it though as he was lifting it. Almost as if it was coming down through to where it wasn't before....it was hard to tell if it was there to begin with or not.

Seems like it wasn't and he got really weak at the end, almost to the point of dropping it, but by then it was weightless.

Man, I'm thinking about this WAY too much!