On the mercury,gemini and apollo flights the command modules were equiped
with cameras to monitor the astronauts as they launched. I know they have
on board cameras on the shuttle but are they active during launch? And if not
why? I don't recall seeing any inside shuttle shots during any news coverage
but I hav'nt seen every launch. I understand that there is a lot of shaking
going on but some reasonable image would still be possible. Does anyone have
any info on this subject?

Thanks,
Rick Poole