Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V 421 - MMS - March 12/13, 2015 (02:44 UTC/10:44 pm Eastern)  (Read 119135 times)

Offline Lewis007

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Re: Atlas V 421 - MMS (4x) - March 12, 2015 (10:44pm Eastern )
« Reply #80 on: 03/12/2015 10:49 am »
NASA's MMS press kit

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Offline satwatcher

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Re: Atlas V 421 - MMS (4x) - March 12, 2015 (10:44pm Eastern )
« Reply #82 on: 03/12/2015 10:54 am »
Probably only visible in southern states, since it is a 28 point something inclination.
Not true. Around the time of the MMS separations they will be between 5000 and 6000 km, altitude, and will be visible from Canada all the way down to Peru. Visibility will improve even further at the time of the fuel dump when the objects are at even higher altitudes.

Offline kevin-rf

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That is the answer I was looking for satwatcher. Thanks, now to try an stay up for the fuel dump!

Why, yes that is a pair of binoculars glued to my eyes...
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Offline parham55

Probably only visible in southern states, since it is a 28 point something inclination.
Not true. Around the time of the MMS separations they will be between 5000 and 6000 km, altitude, and will be visible from Canada all the way down to Peru. Visibility will improve even further at the time of the fuel dump when the objects are at even higher altitudes.

Where might I find the location in the sky I should be watching for these events? Google is currently not being my friend. Thank you.
Rob

Offline kevin-rf

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Probably only visible in southern states, since it is a 28 point something inclination.
Not true. Around the time of the MMS separations they will be between 5000 and 6000 km, altitude, and will be visible from Canada all the way down to Peru. Visibility will improve even further at the time of the fuel dump when the objects are at even higher altitudes.

Where might I find the location in the sky I should be watching for these events? Google is currently not being my friend. Thank you.
Rob

From the ground track in ULA's mission book ( http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Mission_Booklets/AV/av_mms_mob.pdf ) I would guess blowdown would be somewhere in the green circle. So, depending where you are, I would be looking high in the sky in that direction.

As a fun exercise Boston is ~2500km north of Cuba, and these events should be happening at 5000 km (ignoring the earths curvature) that is what, about 60ish degrees above the horizon, hand wave in the earths curvature and you are talking what, 45 degrees?
 
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Offline Kim Keller

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Watch for blow-down to start at T+2h 7m.

Offline catdlr

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Atlas V Rolled to Launch Pad for MMS

Published on Mar 12, 2015
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is rolled from Vertical Integration Facility to the pad at Launch Complex 41. With four identical Magnetospheric Multiscale, or MMS, spacecraft, this is an unprecedented NASA mission to study magnetic reconnection. Scientists believe MMS will provide insights into the fundamental process that occurs throughout the universe.

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Offline John44

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Online Chris Bergin

ULA:

L-4 hours 50 minutes and counting. Launch is on track for 10:44 p.m. EDT. Weather for tonight’s launch has improved and is now 80% favorable.

William's article shortly!
« Last Edit: 03/12/2015 08:57 pm by Chris Bergin »
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ULA photos:

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Here's William Graham's extensive - as always - feature article!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/ula-atlas-v-mms-launch/
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Offline robertross

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Here's William Graham's extensive - as always - feature article!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/ula-atlas-v-mms-launch/

That was a fantastic article William, and a fascinating read too!
I bet that took some time to articulate!

I love physics-related missions.

Go ULA!

Offline mmp121

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ULA photos:

Love the gator in the foreground water...

Offline robertross

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Those on console at the moment

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ULA photos:

Love the gator in the foreground water...

Heh!

And he's clearly not badged!
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Offline Kim Keller

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Those on console at the moment

Top pic: Mission Director's Center @ Hangar AE - just management.

Lower pic: one of 3 Launch Vehicle Data Centers (LVDC) @Hangar AE - NASA engineers and maybe some of the spacecraft team

ULA tiger team and NASA engineering polls were done just a minute ago and both are 'Go' for cryo tanking.

Offline Kim Keller

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And he's clearly not badged!

All wildlife is 'grandfathered' in.

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Blimey, they are starting the webcast early.
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Offline Kim Keller

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Blimey, they are starting the webcast early.

Those are the people who actually do the launch; everyone else is just an advisor.

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