I forgot to mention about a couple of other interesting aspects of a shuttle launch. The first happens on the pad at liftoff. The three main engines light at about T-8 seconds. Since the nozzles are at an angle, the thrust actually bends the vehicle in the direction of the thrust. This is called the "Shuttle Twang." The Shuttle is held down by four explosive bolts on each of the solid rocket boosters. If you can find a close-up launch video, you can see the twang clearly at the tip of the external tank. It deflects about 36". Ignition of the solids and liftoff is timed when the tip of the tank is coming back through vertical. Then, at liftoff, since the liquid engines are at an angle, they cause a slight horizontal trajectory of the vehicle. The best way to see this effect is to watch a launch video and compare the flight path of the vehicle and the fixed service structure (i.e.: "gantry"). You can clearly see the vehicle "walking" horizontally as it starts its ascent.

You won't see the twang and the walking from anywhere in the public areas. But, you can see the early stages of the ascent trajectory. For about 30 seconds, the Shuttle ascends vertically in lofted trajectory. This is designed to give the pilots enough altitude in order to do a early ascent abort (theoretically). It's also to allow the vehicle to be tracked by radars and to be seen by the command destruct transmitter antennas. After the loft is completed, the Shuttle does a roll maneuver and actually pitches down to gain airspeed. Then, the crew rides "heads down" into orbit.

...only 5 more times to watch all of this...