Posts: 287 From: New Haven, CT USA Registered: Oct 2001
posted 03-15-2009 09:46 PM
Local access TV, which often shows NASA TV during launches, was not on tonight so I had to rely on CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. Fox at least stopped their commentary at some point. CNN commentators though continued talking right to the point of main engine start. I found that annoying.
Once again I thought PAO Candrea Thomas did not say enough in the final half minute of the count. Just my opinion but I find it reassuring to hear the voice of the PAO during all the final milestones.
Lunar rock nut Member
Posts: 911 From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2007
posted 03-15-2009 10:04 PM
We had an excellent pass by Discovery at 8:17pm altitude 100mi and very bright. At 8:53pm ISS made its presence known with a two minute pass. It was crystal clear here.
posted 03-15-2009 11:06 PM
Regarding the CNN coverage, it was nice to see John Zarella again, although I miss Miles O'Brien. The anchor didn't have much of a clue as to what was going on, and I couldn't believe that they gave the weatherperson a few seconds of time during the launch.
Richard Easton Member
Posts: 175 From: Winnetka, IL USA Registered: Jun 2006
posted 03-15-2009 11:26 PM
Robert, those are great photos. Did you take them?
Richard
Frewi80 Member
Posts: 120 From: Hawaii. Waipahu Registered: Jun 2006
posted 03-15-2009 11:27 PM
Thanks for the images Robert. Was working today and missed the launch.
Freddy
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-15-2009 11:30 PM
Thanks Richard and Freddy. Yes, the launch photos (as well as the RSS rollback and crew walkout photos) were taken by me.
I really wish I could arrange for all of you the chance to view a launch from the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building because it is really an unparalleled experience. This was my second launch from up there but my first during dusk/night and it was simply spectacular.
I recorded a video of the launch from there too, which I hope to be able to share as soon as perhaps later on Monday.
ASCAN1984 Member
Posts: 1049 From: County Down, Nothern Ireland Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-16-2009 04:28 AM
For anyone that didn't see it (including me!) here it is:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-16-2009 06:10 AM
Another photo from the roof of the VAB:
jasonelam Member
Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
posted 03-16-2009 08:16 AM
This launch was one of the most beautiful that I had ever seen given that it happened right after sunset. Would have loved to seen it live since TV doesnt really give the launch of a shuttle justice.
Question: during the roll to heads up, as the "halo" of the main engine exhaust was forming, I noticed a lot of particles streaming out from the rear of the orbiter. I had never seen this before in previous launches. Is this a normal occurrence and if so what was it?
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 03-16-2009 08:26 AM
Ice off the engines.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 03-16-2009 10:19 AM
This was a beautiful launch. When the shuttle got high enough in altitude the Sun lit up the exhaust plume and cast a shadow. Spectacular.
It was also very special for another reason. John Phillips invited my wife and I to the launch as his guests. I remember when we met the first time in 2006 after his Expedition 11 flight he told me that he hoped for one more flight. I got a bit choked up seeing him rocket into space - his wish fulfilled.
Godspeed John and Godspeed Discovery.
Tim
cspg Member
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 03-16-2009 10:41 AM
Would it hurt NASA/JSC to have the birth dates of the following astronauts (not on their website, not in the press kit)?
Richard Arnold
Joseph Acaba
Dominic Antonelli
Thanks to Spacefacts.de for providing the info.
Chris.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-16-2009 10:54 AM
Astronauts control what details are listed in their NASA biographies.
robsouth Member
Posts: 769 From: West Midlands, UK Registered: Jun 2005
posted 03-16-2009 11:34 AM
Go Discovery, another perfect launch!
fabfivefreddy Member
Posts: 1067 From: Leawood, Kansas USA Registered: Oct 2003
posted 03-16-2009 12:21 PM
Did the bat fly away?!?
Tahir
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-16-2009 12:24 PM
The bat was seen still clinging to the external tank by the shuttle inspection team just before launch and on one of the engineering videos at liftoff. What happened to it after that is unknown.
At the post-launch press conference, launch director Mike Leinbach said, "We characterize him as unexpected debris, and he's probably still unexpected debris somewhere."
James Brown Member
Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
posted 03-16-2009 02:30 PM
I was down for the first launch attempt, but was unable to stay until Sunday. I posted some photos here.
Next one for sure.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-16-2009 06:19 PM
quote:Originally posted by fabfivefreddy: Did the bat fly away?!?
No, it's now orbiting the Earth enjoying the view and looking for tasty Russian mosquitoes on the outside of the ISS.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-17-2009 01:40 PM
The fate of the bat is now known (includes photos).
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 03-17-2009 02:19 PM
Just saw the ISS and Space Shuttle fly over from West to East as two bright dots about 20:10 local time in Belgium
BA002 Member
Posts: 175 From: Utrecht,NL Registered: Feb 2007
posted 03-17-2009 02:27 PM
Just saw ISS and Discovery overhead, a wonderful view with Discovery trailing about a thumb's width behind the space station.
I used the Heavens Above info, which at this point was showing Discovery about two minutes ahead of ISS, so when nothing showed up at the expected time for the shuttle I thought visibility from my apartment block might not be good enough, until the two of them showed up together! Apparently the shuttle is being manoeuvred faster than the Heavens Above site can keep up with.
Anyway I don't mind, this was much better than advertised, the two of them so close together!
Just a few minutes later on NASA TV the distance was given as 20,000 feet or 4 miles.
Regards, Leo Bakker
Edit: And now, a little over 2 hours later, at 21:20Z, they are docked!
spaceman1953 Member
Posts: 953 From: South Bend, IN Registered: Apr 2002
posted 03-17-2009 05:25 PM
Thanks to all for the BAT follow-up. I knew I could count on collectSPACE for the details, since nobody else was providing them!
I surely thought that the bat would take off when the Shuttle started its roar, but if not, then...
*
Gene
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 03-17-2009 06:18 PM
Well, look at the bright side. He went where no bat had gone before and went out in a blaze of glory. He is now honored among the greats, such as the wasp on Apollo 8 and the turkey buzzard that got clobbered by STS-114.
ASCAN1984 Member
Posts: 1049 From: County Down, Nothern Ireland Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-17-2009 06:20 PM
Been meaning to ask this question for ages. During many launches I have heard the term guidance now converging. What does that mean?
Gareth
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 03-17-2009 06:21 PM
Well, at least that bat had a preview of what it must be like to fly out of Hell, so we know it didn't go there.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-17-2009 06:28 PM
Watching those pictures of Discovery in orbit, I could have sworn one of the dark markings on the orbiter's belly moved. Or to put it another way... (drum-roll)... I t'ought I taw a pretty bat.
Mr Meek Member
Posts: 353 From: Chattanooga, TN Registered: Dec 2007
posted 03-17-2009 06:32 PM
NASA has just released further information regarding the species of the bat. After further analysis of the photographs, NASA has determined that the bat was a Klingon.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 03-17-2009 06:35 PM
quote:Originally posted by ASCAN1984: During many launches I have heard the term guidance now converging. What does that mean?
I believe it has to do with the guidance of the shuttle putting the craft back on track after SRB burnout since although the stack is maintaining a specified flight track during the first two minutes, there probably is a bit of fudge factor in the plotting (as I recall, there was some lofting from the SRBs on STS-1, meaning they were a little more powerful then predicted). When things smooth out once the SRBs are gone, then the guidance system can follow the proper track on the way to orbit. Plus, deeper in the atmosphere, the shuttle can get blown around by upper level winds and those can alter the flight track a little. At SRB jettison, it is pretty much above any weather factors.
That is my best educated guess anyway since they always say guidance converging once the SRBs are gone.
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-17-2009 07:29 PM
I just watched the ISS and Discovery pass over frozen East Pond here in Maine. I never get tired of seeing it, and dreaming about what might have been!
divemaster Member
Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted 03-17-2009 11:46 PM
The ISS/Shuttle passed over me at 1940EDT. It is the first time that I can recall it being that high in the sky for six minutes on a cloudless night when I was actually around to see it. I was amazed at how bright it was and how it was hauling the mail. I can only imagine what it will look like with two more solar wings deployed.
I've always been concerned about confusing with a jet. Once you see it, you know that it's not a jet.
What a pleasure that it was at 86 degrees for 6 minutes so there were no tree lines to get in the way and dusk had just turned to night. Awesome. wOOt!
cspg Member
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 03-18-2009 12:58 AM
Despite hazy skies, the ISS passed over Geneva last night (08:07 pm Swiss time) followed by Discovery. That was a first for me as I've never seen the shuttle fly overhead. Neat!
Chris.
robsouth Member
Posts: 769 From: West Midlands, UK Registered: Jun 2005
posted 03-18-2009 04:49 PM
James Brown those are some great photos, but don't they have crocs down in the swamps where you were standing with your camera? Robert great photo of the shuttle launch from the VAB view. As for the bat, I bet he got well crispy!
James Brown Member
Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
posted 03-18-2009 05:19 PM
Yes Sir. Crocs, snakes, wild pigs, bobcats, you name it. Gotta be careful, and watch where you step.
James
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2475 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 03-18-2009 05:44 PM
I thought others here would enjoy a view of the launch from the perspective of a person in Orlando as that is such a tourist populated place this time of year. Also, I have been asked many times if you can see the shuttle launch from inland Florida and here is the answer. My nephew who lives in Orlando has a friend who that took this shot from there, photo credit Kerri Merrigan-Falconer. It is a wonderful view that gives a perspective of the shot as well as the color variations that the sunset produced on the shuttle's plume. I trust you will find it as interesting as I did.
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 03-18-2009 07:16 PM
My father called me from Dade City, Fl just outside Tampa with a great description of a beautiful launch.
James Brown Member
Posts: 1287 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Registered: Jun 2000
posted 03-19-2009 06:38 AM
Isn't Photoshop great?
Having too much fun.
BA002 Member
Posts: 175 From: Utrecht,NL Registered: Feb 2007
posted 03-19-2009 03:18 PM
I was able to see ISS pass overhead twice tonight. One moment you're sitting in front of your PC watching NASA TV and the next moment you see the same thing flying overhead, isn't it amazing...
Pity you can't actually see the current EVA for real. But, believe it or not, what I did see as I stepped outside onto the balcony for the first pass was a small bat doing its rounds in front of my apartment block. Or perhaps paying its respects to its spacefaring cousin?
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 03-19-2009 06:18 PM
The CAPCOM's have droped the ball. They haven't used the Batman theme as a crew wakeup call.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-19-2009 06:32 PM
I realize that the comment was tongue-in-cheek, but just for the record, the capcoms do not select the crew's wake-up music. The songs are decided pre-flight by the astronauts' families (and sometimes by the crew members themselves).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-15-2009 09:46 PM
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