Shuttle Ride

I've read that the shuttle pilots "only" experience about 3 g's during lift
off to orbit - less than a big roller coaster ride, way less than a dragster
or a fighter jet. But they do endure the g force for much longer - something
like 10 minutes before they get into orbit. That would be the part that
would get me. I love roller coasters, and have been on the "world's largest,
fastest" (which changes every year). But I know the ride will be over in 180
seconds or so. Also, I wonder how loud and dramatic the ride is inside the
shuttle - from the video it looks incredible - like being inside of a huge
controlled explosion... which is what it is, I suppose.

Click on the launch in the video section of the page. Sorry about the ads,
there is probably a better link available for this.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in711644.shtml

Michael