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Today may be shuttle Discovery's last ever flight

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13 years 9 months ago #88335 by Seanie_Morris
If everything goes according to plan this evening, the Space Shuttle Discovery will make its final flight in to space.

Checkout the video segment in this link showcasing a retrospective look on Discovery's life as the workhorse of the Shuttle fleet:
www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/ind...ml?media_id=21356981

Seanie.

Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.

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13 years 9 months ago #88336 by michaeloconnell
Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Today may be shuttle Discovery's last ever flight
Shuttle should be visible here if the sky clears.

From Calsky:

Close to Alnilam, Eps  Ori (SAO 132346, HIP 26311 HD 37128), Magnitude=1.7mag. Separation=0.290°  Position Angle=5.6°
Angular diameter=27.3"  size=37.0m x 24.0m x 10.0m
Satellite at Azimuth=221.6° SW   Altitude= 28.1°  Distance=342.1 km (in shadow)
In a clock-face concept, the satellite will seem to move toward  9:35
Angular Velocity=67.7'/s

Centerline, closest point →Map: Longitude=  6°50'28"W  Latitude=+53°25'11" (WGS84)  Distance=3.35 km  Azimuth=  7.3° N    Path direction= 97.3° E    ground speed=7.766 km/s
Sun elevation=-37°  Elongation from Sun=106°
Orbit source: NASA predicted orbit

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13 years 9 months ago #88338 by dmcdona
Any idea how long after launch that will be?

Also, looks from the data that it will be coming across Orion. That correct?

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13 years 9 months ago #88339 by Frank Ryan
From the last time Dave it took aprox 18min.
Mike, Calsky says 'in shadow' - do you think it will still be visible?

My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers

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13 years 9 months ago #88340 by Frank Ryan
Odd.
Calsky is not showing passes for me....
This is all it says...

Thursday 24 February 2011 Time Object (Link) Event
Observer Site Ballycasey, Ireland
WGS84: Lon: -8d49m37.7s Lat: +52d37m09.4s Alt: 69m
All times in GMT or IST (during summer)
21h50m STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-133): Launch of Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center KSC, Florida
23h15m STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-133): PAYLOAD BAY DOOR OPENING (may not be televised live)

My Astrophotography
Shannonside Astronomy Club __________________________________________
Meade ETX-125PE, Bresser 10 x 50 Binos & Me Peepers

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13 years 9 months ago #88341 by michaeloconnell
Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Today may be shuttle Discovery's last ever flight
If the engine is burning we might see it?

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