space shuttle take off

[gaz_farr]

Hi

When the space shuttles take off, how come the engines don't toast everything around.

It looks terribly warm!!

[zippybungle]

engines are at the bottom of the rocket for obvious resons. nasa spent a few quid makeing sure that wouldnt happen!!

[finex]

There is also a "Water Sound Suppression System" in place, which helps damp down flame damage. Its' primary function though is to suppress some of the acoustic energy the shuttle creates on takeoff. The engines are so loud that the sound energy is enough to damage the shuttle!

Have a look here for a bit more info:

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/shuttle/f_watertest.html