That's the current schedule.
From where in Florida can you see the shuttle in the sky? Would I be able to see it from Weston? Would I have to drive to the beach? Thanks, Scott
I live in the acres (just northeast of you) if the skies are clear I can see it from my deck. The evening launches can be pretty cool with the setting sun reflecting off of it.
2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT) SCRUB! For the second straight day, launch of space shuttle Endeavour has postponed due to summertime thunderstorms around the Kennedy Space Center. Tuesday's target launch time to rendezvous with the International Space Station is 6:25:41 p.m. EDT. The time on Wednesday would be 6:03:10 p.m. EDT. "This is the fifth scrub for the mission after two gaseous hydrogen leaks in June and a delay Saturday to check shuttle systems for any harm caused by nearby lightning strikes."
Why the heck can't they launch it in the morning? For something than can fly at what...17,000 mph (or close to it?? hell, I don't know exactly), launch time wouldn't seem like that big of an issue getting to the space station. I'm sure fuel range is a big factor. Ron, trying to send you a p.m. Hi Simon & Amanda! Kevin
Hi Kevin. Launch windows are narrow going to the station (due to offset with each orbit)... the small thrusters are used to locate the shuttle within space after reaching orbit (boosters and 3 main engines at back of shuttle are spent). The amount of fuel available to thrusters is actually very small... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the map Simon! Do you know if the orbit path routed to stay within global land-based communication? Is there much steering input by the pilot or is it more like auto-pilot while in orbit? Kevin
100% coverage while in orbit. no dead zones. re-entry dead zone due to interference fromn plasma around the craft. auto pilot until final docking. thats done manually.
they have had satellites relay that since about the end of the Apollo missions. so no dead zones ever now. the dark side of the moon is probably the only place there is a dead zone now.
I'm afarid he's is correct. With the Apollo capsule it was a "teardrop" shape that allowed the plasma to fully engulf it. With the shuttle it's tail isn't in the envelop of the plasma allowing it to send and receive important instructions and corrections during reentry.
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