The camera now sits at the very bottom of the launch duct in one half of two identical parts of the flame deflector, almost universally referred to as the “W” (because of its shape in profile).
A large concrete wedge divides the launch duct in half, directing missile exhaust into two vertical shafts that vent to the surface. Follow the wedge down and trace the curve of the floor to where it disappears into the darkness of the vertical shaft.
Look up again and you can see the floor of level 7, and the missile above it. Just below the floor four large nozzles (look carefully) spray water into the flame deflector when the missile is launched. This water helps absorb the roar of the engine during launch.
On one side of the flame deflector a step-iron ladder leads up the face of the deflector and meets a vertical ladder that goes up to the access door (near the three bright lights). |