This is what it looks like when a space shuttle is launched from earth into outer space. These pics were taken from the International Space Station.
[EDIT] Thanks to a comment from DaveNASA (see comments below the full blog post) we have found out this was NOT TAKEN from outer space. Apparently it was taking from 60,000 ft! Thank you for the comment DaveNASA.
No, Warren Ellis frabricated this and it seems many “blog” sites are spreading this mistruth around.
They were taken from 60,000 ft, not 250 miles! From a chase plane.
Evidence:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4907&start=1
Dave! Thank you so much for the clarification.
Pleasure and thank you for being a responsable person with the correction.