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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Flame trench southward view

Flame trench southward view
Flame trench southward view This image was captured from the north side of the pad 39B flame trench, facing south. The Mobile Launcher and SLS will straddle the center of the trench. A yet-to-be installed flame deflector will funnel all engine exhaust northward, toward the camera. During the shuttle era, a similar deflector was used to send main engine exhaust up the ramp on the south side, while solid rocket booster exhaust came northward. Jason Davis / The Planetary Society