> continuous pressure wave pounding on my chest until the rocket was above the clouds
You either have the worlds most sensitive chest or your memory of the experience is comparable to your memory of the date it occurred, a tad bit distorted. ;)
Turns out it was STS120, launching the Harmony module on Oct. 23, 2007.
I was working at a facility where we tested gas turbines and spent a good amount of time studying combustion acoustics. The best way I could describe the feeling standing near the water for the shuttle launch was feeling a continuous combustion pressure hitting my chest. Pounding wasn't the best choice of words.
You either have the worlds most sensitive chest or your memory of the experience is comparable to your memory of the date it occurred, a tad bit distorted. ;)