# Frog Photobombs Nasa Moon Probe Launch **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 14, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812 "2013-09-14T00:17:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tiescore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@tiescore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiescore)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/41 "2013-09-24T14:30:53Z")
Kermit the Frog here, reporting live from the latest NASA space lllllllaaaaaaauuuucchhhhhhh aaahhhhhhhh ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@Mister\_Owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Owl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/42 "2013-09-24T14:57:41Z")
I don’t think I ever got to that level in Frogger. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/43 "2013-09-24T18:58:18Z")
It’s not easy being launched. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/44 "2013-09-24T19:15:13Z")
On reflection, the frog might actually have survived. It wasn’t on the rocket, it was near a camera. Depending on how it got launched and where it landed, it might have been just fine. It has the ideal shape for low terminal velocity, flat and low and spread out. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/45 "2013-09-24T20:17:17Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > _Ground control to Major Frog…_ The username is what makes this post extra-special. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/46 "2013-09-24T20:25:44Z")
> [@Mister\_Owl](#): > > I don’t think I ever got to that level in Frogger. [George Costanza](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-FbktgqCqY), is that you? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/47 "2013-09-24T21:12:18Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > On reflection, the frog might actually have survived. It wasn’t on the rocket, it was near a camera. > Depending on how it got launched and where it landed, it might have been just fine. It has the ideal shape for low terminal velocity, flat and low and spread out. That’s what _she_ said. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2013, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/48 "2013-09-25T01:15:35Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > On reflection, the frog might actually have survived. It wasn’t on the rocket, it was near a camera. > Depending on how it got launched and where it landed, it might have been just fine. It has the ideal shape for low terminal velocity, flat and low and spread out. The problem, and I’m eager for someone like **Stranger on A Train** to set me straight on this, is that the[frog was likely making its home in the water used to acoustically cushion the launch pad.](http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/23416897/from-lily-pad-to-launch-pad-frog-photobombs-nasa-launch) Water that was largely flashed to steam by the rocket exhaust. Getting thrown by a gigantic column of live steam does not sound like a pleasant way to go. (Though I can’t find any mention of such a system at the website for the [Wallops Island complex](http://marsspaceport.com/) that launched the rocket. Unlike [the famous system](http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/sound-suppression-system.html) used at Launch Pad 39 at Kennedy for the Space Shuttle.) ---
**Author:** ![Jerry\_in\_Canada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e495f1/32.png) [@Jerry\_in\_Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jerry_in_Canada)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/49 "2013-09-26T09:56:55Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Rocketfrog slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God. And God wiped off the smear. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/50 "2013-10-01T17:42:08Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > The problem, and I’m eager for someone like **Stranger on A Train** to set me straight on this, is that the[frog was likely making its home in the water used to acoustically cushion the launch pad.](http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/23416897/from-lily-pad-to-launch-pad-frog-photobombs-nasa-launch) Water that was largely flashed to steam by the rocket exhaust. Getting thrown by a gigantic column of live steam does not sound like a pleasant way to go. > > (Though I can’t find any mention of such a system at the website for the [Wallops Island complex](http://marsspaceport.com/) that launched the rocket. Unlike [the famous system](http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/sound-suppression-system.html) used at Launch Pad 39 at Kennedy for the Space Shuttle.) The pad at Wallops Flight Facility MARS Pad 0B has a concrete-lined flame duct which serves to redirect the plume gases away from the vehicle but does not have a water deluge system, which is not necessary for this vehicle as the main stack are solid propellant motors repurposed from the LGM-118A ‘Peacekeeper’ ICBM and are designed to withstand significantly higher acoustic impulses. The two pads as Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 (LC-39A and LC-39B) both have deluge systems. However, these aren’t open pools of water underneath the launch vehicle as flat, undisturbed water would aggressively reflect the ignition overpressure blast wave of the RSRMs which would likely damage the Orbiter Vehicle. What happens is that water is stored in massive tanks (several hundred thousand gallons) and is released starting just prior to SSME ignition. The SSMEs (which are ignited and run up to full throttle for an automated hold-down check before the RSRMs are initiated) heat a fair portion of the water to dense steam which then serves to attentuate the ground-coupled acoustic environment (i.e. the overpressure waves that are reflected back onto the vehicle) for the several seconds before the Shuttle assembly achieves sufficient altitude. BTW, I’m surprised this has not been previously debunked by someone, but this is very evidently not a frog. Although frogs are often graphically portrayed with forelegs splayed out while in mid-leap, frogs actually hold the forelegs up against the body in jump and land with the rear legs forward and the forelegs used primarily for balance. Although the image not clear enough to make out the specific object, I am morally certain that this is a children’s sock monkey which was placed in the duct opening and blown outward by the ignition overpressure ahead of the plume gases which no doubt incinerated it once they caught up with it. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/51 "2013-10-01T17:51:20Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > BTW, I’m surprised this has not been previously debunked by someone, but this is very evidently not a frog. Although frogs are often graphically portrayed with forelegs splayed out while in mid-leap, frogs actually hold the forelegs up against the body in jump and land with the rear legs forward and the forelegs used primarily for balance. Although the image not clear enough to make out the specific object, I am morally certain that this is a children’s sock monkey which was placed in the duct opening and blown outward by the ignition overpressure ahead of the plume gases which no doubt incinerated it once they caught up with it. Spoilsport. Besides, everyone knows that children’s sock monkeys live in rocket duct openings, so you are just stating the obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/52 "2013-10-01T18:28:06Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Spoilsport. Besides, everyone knows that children’s sock monkeys live in rocket duct openings, so you are just stating the obvious. Yes, I concur. It is a well known fact that sock monkeys live and spawn in rocket engines. I read it on the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![Pazu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pazu/32/15522_2.png) [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/53 "2013-10-01T18:36:37Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > BTW, I’m surprised this has not been previously debunked by someone, but this is very evidently not a frog. Although frogs are often graphically portrayed with forelegs splayed out while in mid-leap, frogs actually hold the forelegs up against the body in jump and land with the rear legs forward and the forelegs used primarily for balance. Although the image not clear enough to make out the specific object, I am morally certain that this is a children’s sock monkey which was placed in the duct opening and blown outward by the ignition overpressure ahead of the plume gases which no doubt incinerated it once they caught up with it. I don’t think anyone would argue that this putative frog is exhibiting typical leaping behavior; it would be more likely adopting the [“parachuting”](http://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/27419/) posture used by tree frogs and their relatives when falling. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/54 "2013-10-01T18:47:03Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > Yes, I concur. It is a well known fact that sock monkeys live and spawn in rocket engines. I read it on the Internet. The placement of a"launch charm" on or adjacent to the pad is common practice among launch integration crews stemming back to the early days of US launch rockets. Orbital’s choice is usually a sock monkey. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/55 "2013-10-01T19:17:58Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > The placement of a"launch charm" on or adjacent to the pad is common practice among launch integration crews stemming back to the early days of US launch rockets. Orbital’s choice is usually a sock monkey. If true, I’m surprised someone from the launch crew doesn’t step forward and claim responsibility. Or are they just enjoying the merriment, and likely to get in trouble for revealing it? Or some kid: “Mommeee! Daddy stole Monk, my sock monkey!!” ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/56 "2013-10-01T19:50:50Z")
“You’re right. I didn’t mean to say the LADEE should be towing away garbage. I meant that it should _BE_ toad away _AS_ garbage”. (I know, I know, the verb in the episode was “haul” not “tow”, but I’m doing my best here) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/57 "2013-10-02T03:03:25Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > BTW, I’m surprised this has not been previously debunked by someone, but this is very evidently not a frog. Although frogs are often graphically portrayed with forelegs splayed out while in mid-leap, frogs actually hold the forelegs up against the body in jump and land with the rear legs forward and the forelegs used primarily for balance. I don’t think the frog is jumping. I thought it was blown in the air. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/58 "2013-10-02T03:26:10Z")
It’s not easy being smithereens. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/59 "2013-10-02T13:09:16Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > BTW, I’m surprised this has not been previously debunked by someone, but this is very evidently not a frog. Although frogs are often graphically portrayed with forelegs splayed out while in mid-leap, frogs actually hold the forelegs up against the body in jump and land with the rear legs forward and the forelegs used primarily for balance. On the other hand, that’s the exact pose my daughter’s frog was in when we found him dead in his tank, so maybe that’s an already-dead frog. The body does look pretty weird for a frog, though, so you could certainly be correct that it’s a sock monkey. Although, wait, don’t sock monkeys usually have tails? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frog-photobombs-nasa-moon-probe-launch/668812/60 "2013-10-02T14:19:49Z")
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