Author
|
Topic: STS-117: Day or Night Launch?
|
James Brown Member Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-14-2006 07:51 AM
Does anyone know if 117 is to be a day or night launch? What time? Thanks.James |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-14-2006 07:57 AM
According to SpaceflightNow.com's launch schedule the launch is targeted for March 16 at 1020 GMT (6:20 a.m. EDT). Sunrise on the 16th is at 7:31 a.m. |
James Brown Member Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-14-2006 08:17 AM
Thanks again Robert. |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 12-14-2006 10:36 AM
quote: Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: According to SpaceflightNow.com's launch schedule the launch is targeted for March 16 at 1020 GMT (6:20 a.m. EDT). Sunrise on the 16th is at 7:31 a.m.
As far as watching from a distance (~1,000 miles up the coast) I prefer and highly recommend the morning twilight launches over the late evening launches such as last week's STS-116 launch of Discovery. The morning launches are backlit by the sun. This makes the outgassing that occurs just after MECO quite spectacular as a large gas cloud gets belched out which then trails along behind the orbiter. Also at morning twilight near sunrise the orbiter & external tank could be sunlit, albeit mostly on its far side, and thus you'll still be able to follow it after MECO. |
Tom Member Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
|
posted 12-14-2006 02:30 PM
Absolutely. I remember watching the STS-48 launch from Long Island just after sunset. It is definately a different perspective. However, watching "116" from here was very impressive! |