Author Topic: LIVE: STS-120 Flight Day 15 - EOM-1 - RCS Hotfire - FCS Checkouts (Read 37959 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 11/06/2007 03:41 am »

Latest article: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5276

Questions about the events can go into Shuttle Q&A (we'll be creating a mission specific Q&A for 122): http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10600&start=1

Woo hooing can go into the cheerleading thread here: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10134&start=1

Updated Timeline snippet from L2 presentation:

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/06/2007 05:28 am »

Here is the NASA TV schedule for today.

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/06/2007 06:42 am »

Good morning Discovery!

The wake-up song was "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple, played for Clay Anderson.

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11/06/2007 06:43 am »

FD 15 Execute Package is now up: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/196241main_fd15exec.pdf

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11/06/2007 06:47 am »

FD 15 Activities Summary.

generic_handle_42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 11/06/2007 07:13 am »

Wait... where'd Discovery go? Oh yeah...

DaveS · « **Reply #6 on:** 11/06/2007 09:10 am »

Everything is ready for the upcoming FCS check-out. It's scheduled to start at MET 013:18:45.

DaveS · « **Reply #7 on:** 11/06/2007 09:19 am »

1 minute away from a 5 minute LOS. Have some deltas on the FCS check-out when they go AOS on the other side.

DaveS · « **Reply #8 on:** 11/06/2007 09:22 am »

Coming up later today is an orbit adjust burn which will use both OMS engines to decrease the low point of Discovery's orbit to 124.7 n.mi. The delta V is 100 FPS with a burn time of 56 seconds. Currently the low point of Discovery's orbit is 180.9 n.mi.

That burn as a TIG of of 014:04:16:28.

DaveS · « **Reply #9 on:** 11/06/2007 09:26 am »

AOS after the 5 minute LOS.

DaveS · « **Reply #10 on:** 11/06/2007 09:27 am »

APU 1 for FCS check-out. GPS self-test is not required.

DaveS · « **Reply #11 on:** 11/06/2007 09:42 am »

GO for APU start.

DaveS · « **Reply #12 on:** 11/06/2007 09:43 am »

MMACS reports a good start of APU-1.

DaveS · « **Reply #13 on:** 11/06/2007 09:47 am »

GO for APU shut down.

DaveS · « **Reply #14 on:** 11/06/2007 10:29 am »

RCS hotfire test in work.

DaveS · « **Reply #15 on:** 11/06/2007 10:46 am »

RCS hotfire completed, everything looked good. 4 minutes from a 5 minute LOS.

ChrisC · « **Reply #16 on:** 11/06/2007 11:07 am »

Question: the 11:03 ET briefing is for the crew, right? It's not a briefing for us?

ChrisC · « **Reply #17 on:** 11/06/2007 11:12 am »

FYI, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/experiments/MAUI.html

DaveS · « **Reply #18 on:** 11/06/2007 11:34 am »

Quote

ChrisC - 6/11/2007 1:07 PM

Question: the 11:03 ET briefing is for the crew, right? It's not a briefing for us?

Yes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 11/06/2007 11:53 am »

MMT:

Tomorrow is FCS C/O EOM-1
o Crew wake - 1:38 am
o FCS C/O - 5:38 am
o RCS H/F - 6:23 am
o Maui Burn - 7:48 am
o D/O brief - 9:03 am
o Orbit Adjust Burn (retrograde) - 1:54 pm
o Ku stow - 3:03 pm
o Crew sleep - 5:38 pm

· FCS C/O Plan
o APU 1 will be used
o Nominal RCS H/F

· Entry APU Plan
o If attempt 2 - APU 2 then 3
o If attempt 1 - APU 2

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #20 on:** 11/06/2007 11:55 am »

Integration of MAUI Burns note: "Orbit adjust is planned for EOM-1 to bring in 2 KSC landing
opportunities for Wednesday. Are trying to integrate the MAUI burns into
the timeline."

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 11/06/2007 12:11 pm »

Quick trip to Mars during EOM-1 it seems

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #22 on:** 11/06/2007 12:24 pm »

MAUI Experiment in 50 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #23 on:** 11/06/2007 01:01 pm »

MAUI in 10 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #24 on:** 11/06/2007 01:04 pm »

Some web media interviews coming up not long after.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #25 on:** 11/06/2007 01:14 pm »

You can see on the telemetry screen that the burn for MAUI is in effect. Some reasonably fast rotation.

Almost a mini RPM!

"Good proceedure"

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #26 on:** 11/06/2007 01:14 pm »

I believe I heard MCC-H say: We're ready for the burn on the DAP

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #27 on:** 11/06/2007 01:21 pm »

Now, more live shots from Discovery.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 11/06/2007 01:29 pm »

You can tell it's a long mission when Capcom notes that they can send messages up in blue, as they have more of that ink than black.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #29 on:** 11/06/2007 01:41 pm »

Two minutes away from the PAO event.

MCC-H has video, but I guess they don't want to show it.. :bleh:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #30 on:** 11/06/2007 01:44 pm »

Discovery is ready for the event.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #31 on:** 11/06/2007 01:45 pm »

Event started.

Associated Press up first!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #32 on:** 11/06/2007 01:46 pm »

Marcia goes after Pambo on that daylight landing, asking if it's because she's "flustered?" <--didn't hear that word properly.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #33 on:** 11/06/2007 01:47 pm »

EVA-4 questions to Pam and Scott.

"You never come face to face with the Arrays in the NBL."

"I wish Wheels could have been up with me on the boom."

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #34 on:** 11/06/2007 01:50 pm »

Marcia: Is a Nebraskan medium-rare steak really what you want? What other cravings do you have?

Clay: Yes, I do not know if it will happen right away, but we have a special recipe that I want again. I also want cold drinks, ice cream, and a lot of things that we did not have on the ISS.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #35 on:** 11/06/2007 01:51 pm »

Two fluff questions, not worth transcribing.

Last question on ISS stage work:

"The folks on the ground make sure we're not too overloaded. I think they are going to be fine" - Clay.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 11/06/2007 01:57 pm »

"Awesome, Amazing, Fluffy Clouds and Breezes you don't get on the ISS" sums up the SDC part of it.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 11/06/2007 01:58 pm »

Uh oh, Lincoln Daily Star asks Pambo about flying over mainland US for the first time since Columbia. Pambo deals with it well "I was thinking that a lot of people would get to see it."

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #38 on:** 11/06/2007 02:03 pm »

Event concluded!

Now resuming operational air-to-ground communications.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #39 on:** 11/06/2007 02:04 pm »

Did you undergo a personality change on the ISS (reference to Count Clay etc)?

"Maybe it was one of those experiments"

"I was under a lot of stress before the mission. It was the real Clay at the end of the mission."

And that's that. Lots of fluff, but at least nothing dodgy.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #40 on:** 11/06/2007 02:06 pm »

Now heading to orbital night:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #41 on:** 11/06/2007 02:10 pm »

Lots of worry about the ink situation.. Right before the LOS, MCC-H told Paolo to not print anything, as if they run the black ink out, the printer will not work at all. He then told Paolo to try the blue, but about five seconds after, he was told to tell the crew to do nothing, and not to print.

Spiff · « **Reply #42 on:** 11/06/2007 02:18 pm »

Well, I can imagine a lot of consumables that more critical than ink running out.

Or do you think we will see headlines tomorrow morning: "SHUTTLE RUNS OUT OF INK! ASTRONAUTS ARE DOOMED!"

JimO · « **Reply #43 on:** 11/06/2007 02:20 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 6/11/2007 8:58 AM
"I was thinking that a lot of people would get to see it."

We've tried to spot the fireball in daytime skes on several occasions. No joy.
Nebraskans will have to be satisfied with Clay's sonic boom.

joncz · « **Reply #44 on:** 11/06/2007 02:24 pm »

Quote

Spiff - 6/11/2007 10:18 AM

Well, I can imagine a lot of consumables that more critical than ink running out.

Or do you think we will see headlines tomorrow morning: "SHUTTLE RUNS OUT OF INK! ASTRONAUTS ARE DOOMED!"

That would be

(AP) THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE... RUNNING OUT OF INK FLUSTERS COMMANDER - DAYLIGHT LANDING PUTS CONTINENTAL US AT RISK

:angry:

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #45 on:** 11/06/2007 02:37 pm »

Not to get into a media debate, but the flip side could be a portrayal that it's been a big mission and that there's still the challenge of re-entry and landing to come. Just depends on how it's portrayed.

Rob in KC · « **Reply #46 on:** 11/06/2007 02:39 pm »

Who do the logged off consoles belong to?

DaveS · « **Reply #47 on:** 11/06/2007 02:41 pm »

Quote

Rob in KC - 6/11/2007 4:39 PM

Who do the logged off consoles belong to?

To the right in the image? That's the Payload Deployment and Retrieval Systems(PDRS) officer console. Here's a Flash application that shows which consoles is which: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/mcc/shuttle_mcc.html

Rob in KC · « **Reply #48 on:** 11/06/2007 02:43 pm »

Yes, and thanks!

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #49 on:** 11/06/2007 02:46 pm »

I heard over comm about the video being sent over KU and they mentioned HD. Is that HD as in high definition or hard drive?

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #50 on:** 11/06/2007 02:48 pm »

Quote

Ronsmytheiii - 6/11/2007 10:46 AM

I heard over comm about the video being sent over KU and they mentioned HD. Is that HD as in high definition or hard drive?

High Definition.

Pictures are orbital sunrise sequence:

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #51 on:** 11/06/2007 02:54 pm »

Quote

Ford Mustang - 6/11/2007 10:48 AM

Quote
Ronsmytheiii - 6/11/2007 10:46 AM

I heard over comm about the video being sent over KU and they mentioned HD. Is that HD as in high definition or hard drive?

High Definition.

Pictures are orbital sunrise sequence:

I thought so, but I didnt want to get my hopes up. Hopefully NASA will put it up on the HD gallery soon, if not I have a new item on the shopping list for L2 :bleh:

Real Madrid · « **Reply #52 on:** 11/06/2007 03:07 pm »

Edwards air force base and White sands will not be used tomorrow

jarthur · « **Reply #53 on:** 11/06/2007 03:10 pm »

Now that the mission is wrapping up, were they able to transfer any oxygen to the station? I know they wanted to but it depended on the shuttles supply.

Also, does anyone know anything about the internal thermal control system remediation that they were trying to do?

Thanks!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 11/06/2007 03:15 pm »

Quote

jarthur - 6/11/2007 4:10 PM

Now that the mission is wrapping up, were they able to transfer any oxygen to the station? I know they wanted to but it depended on the shuttles supply.

From L2 MMT notes FD14:

o Transfer:
? O2 - 0 lbs <---So looks like the answer to your question is "nope".
? H2O - 939 lbs
? GN2 - 32 lbs

D/O Consumables summary
o LiOH supports - EOM+3 (limiting)
o Cyro - 3-3-3-3 D/O
o Prop - 2-2-2-2
o H20 - supports 7 D/O over 4 days
o N2 - supports beyond EOM+4

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #55 on:** 11/06/2007 03:16 pm »

Interesting note about an election, and if one of the crewmembers (didn't catch who) got the e-mail about their password and username to pass on. Anyone catch that?

Real Madrid · « **Reply #56 on:** 11/06/2007 03:17 pm »

chris: they are land tomorrow on KSC.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #57 on:** 11/06/2007 03:20 pm »

Quote

Real Madrid - 6/11/2007 4:17 PM

chris: they are land tomorrow on KSC.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5276 - yep.

They will try for KSC tomorrow (two attempts). If waved off, they will have KSC, Edwards and White Sands open to them, as John Shannon wants to get them on the ground by no later than Thursday, not because of consumables (see two posts above) but because it's been such a long mission.

Andy_Small · « **Reply #58 on:** 11/06/2007 03:38 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 6/11/2007 10:16 AM

Interesting note about an election, and if one of the crewmembers (didn't catch who) got the e-mail about their password and username to pass on. Anyone catch that?

I know Peggy had an email yesterday about voting I heard on the coverage. That takes absentee voting to a whole new level!

PA space fan · « **Reply #59 on:** 11/06/2007 03:49 pm »

Quote

Andy_Small - 6/11/2007 10:38 AM

I know Peggy had an email yesterday about voting I heard on the coverage. That takes absentee voting to a whole new level!

Among the Snapple-cap Fun Facts I've seen is one that says Texas is the only state that allows absentee ballots from space.

Chandonn · « **Reply #60 on:** 11/06/2007 03:54 pm »

Quote

Andy_Small - 6/11/2007 11:38 AM

Quote
Chris Bergin - 6/11/2007 10:16 AM

Interesting note about an election, and if one of the crewmembers (didn't catch who) got the e-mail about their password and username to pass on. Anyone catch that?

I know Peggy had an email yesterday about voting I heard on the coverage. That takes absentee voting to a whole new level!

Actually, with ISS permanently manned through the last few elections, this is becoming old news.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #61 on:** 11/06/2007 04:07 pm »

"Focus right now is to get the stage done, ahead of making the decision on December for 122."

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #62 on:** 11/06/2007 04:08 pm »

ISS 1E SORR moved to next week.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #63 on:** 11/06/2007 05:08 pm »

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #64 on:** 11/06/2007 05:36 pm »

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #65 on:** 11/06/2007 05:39 pm »

Orbit adjustment burn in about 1 hour 15 minutes. This brings in the extra daylight landings at KSC for tomorrow's EOM.

DaveS · « **Reply #66 on:** 11/06/2007 06:13 pm »

Right now performing comm checks through Dryden facilities. Comm checks with White Sands coming up later.

leetdan · « **Reply #67 on:** 11/06/2007 06:13 pm »

There's a throwback, I couldn't name the last time I heard those UHF pings.

ETEE · « **Reply #68 on:** 11/06/2007 06:53 pm »

2 mins from orbit adjust burn both OMS engines 100 fps burn.

ETEE · « **Reply #69 on:** 11/06/2007 06:56 pm »

Good burn and control reduces orbit to 188nm x 125 nm reducing perigee of orbit to bring 2 landing opportunities for Discovery to KSC.

kimmern123 · « **Reply #70 on:** 11/06/2007 06:59 pm »

Is that Nick Patrick on Capcom-duty? I'm sure I heard a British accent just now. Haven't heard him earlier in the flight.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #71 on:** 11/06/2007 07:04 pm »

Quote

kimmern123 - 6/11/2007 2:59 PM

Is that Nick Patrick on Capcom-duty? I'm sure I heard a British accent just now. Haven't heard him earlier in the flight.

That is! He's been on duty since the last Orbit team signed off.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #72 on:** 11/06/2007 07:10 pm »

Crew just getting note that the TPS is cleared for re-entry.

kimmern123 · « **Reply #73 on:** 11/06/2007 07:11 pm »

Will that be the Orbit 2 or 3 team? And has Bryan Lunney held his Entry briefing yet? I haven't had the time to keep myself updated today so bear with me

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #74 on:** 11/06/2007 07:13 pm »

Quote

kimmern123 - 6/11/2007 3:11 PM

Will that be the Orbit 2 or 3 team? And has Bryan Lunney held his Entry briefing yet? I haven't had the time to keep myself updated today so bear with me

I believe the team was orbit 2. And I also believe the crew brief was held earlier (for the crew only, not public).

Also a note, KU Band stowage in 50 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #75 on:** 11/06/2007 07:13 pm »

Quote

Ford Mustang - 6/11/2007 8:04 PM

Quote
kimmern123 - 6/11/2007 2:59 PM

Is that Nick Patrick on Capcom-duty? I'm sure I heard a British accent just now. Haven't heard him earlier in the flight.

That is! He's been on duty since the last Orbit team signed off.

Yeah, posh accent Nick.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #76 on:** 11/06/2007 07:14 pm »

Didn't just happen (the clearing of the vehicle, as I wrote this morning).

For the record, from L2:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #77 on:** 11/06/2007 07:16 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 6/11/2007 3:14 PM

Didn't just happen (the clearing of the vehicle, as I wrote this morning).

For the record, from L2:

Yeah, I was just mentioning that they just got the call.

Pictures for tomorrow's landing:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #78 on:** 11/06/2007 07:23 pm »

Looking out of Discovery's Payload Bay... Is that the moon? (Yes, it is!) :cool:

Jason Davies · « **Reply #79 on:** 11/06/2007 07:39 pm »

Why has NASA TV gone on to some astronomy video???

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #80 on:** 11/06/2007 07:41 pm »

Quote

Jason Davies - 6/11/2007 8:39 PM

Why has NASA TV gone on to some astronomy video???

It's not, it's the day's video file.

psloss · « **Reply #81 on:** 11/06/2007 07:44 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 6/11/2007 3:41 PM

Quote
Jason Davies - 6/11/2007 8:39 PM

Why has NASA TV gone on to some astronomy video???

It's not, it's the day's video file.

Supposed to be some video of Atlantis lift to mate for 122/1E...

Edit...yup... http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=10594&posts=30&mid=209275#M209275

ApolloLee · « **Reply #82 on:** 11/06/2007 07:47 pm »

Quote

Ford Mustang - 6/11/2007 12:16 PM

Pictures for tomorrow's landing:

Shucks... Looks like us folks in Nevada, not to mention California, are out of luck...

punkboi · « **Reply #83 on:** 11/06/2007 07:53 pm »

It's okay. I saw Endeavour land after its maiden flight in May of '92...and heard the sonic booms here in SoCal a couple of times. :laugh:

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #84 on:** 11/06/2007 08:16 pm »

Any word on KU Antenna stowage?

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #85 on:** 11/06/2007 08:29 pm »

One minute from STS-120 In-Flight PAO event replay:

simonbp · « **Reply #86 on:** 11/06/2007 08:43 pm »

Quote

ApolloLee - 6/11/2007 12:47 PM

Shucks... Looks like us folks in Nevada, not to mention California, are out of luck...

And most of Arizona too; Flagstaff might see/hear it for the second opportunity, though...

Simon

ace007 · « **Reply #87 on:** 11/06/2007 08:53 pm »

Anybody have an idea how far away from the ground track the shuttle can be seen as it comes in. I live in Denver which is between the first and second ground track but it still looks like they will be a ways away when they pass by.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #88 on:** 11/06/2007 09:39 pm »

Nice to see that Clay will be passing over Nebraska on the deorbit 1 opportunitiy tomorrow!

JimO · « **Reply #89 on:** 11/06/2007 09:47 pm »

Quote

ace007 - 6/11/2007 3:53 PM

Anybody have an idea how far away from the ground track the shuttle can be seen as it comes in. I live in Denver which is between the first and second ground track but it still looks like they will be a ways away when they pass by.

My experience is that in a bright sky it cannot be seen -- sad to say. But go out and
look, and try to shade your eyes as much as possible. And keep those EARS peeled!

ace007 · « **Reply #90 on:** 11/06/2007 09:59 pm »

Quote

JimO - 6/11/2007 3:47 PM

Quote
ace007 - 6/11/2007 3:53 PM

Anybody have an idea how far away from the ground track the shuttle can be seen as it comes in. I live in Denver which is between the first and second ground track but it still looks like they will be a ways away when they pass by.

My experience is that in a bright sky it cannot be seen -- sad to say. But go out and
look, and try to shade your eyes as much as possible. And keep those EARS peeled!

We I know I won't have to worry about hearing the sonic boom in Denver. I was stationed at Patrick AFB base back in the 90s and I remember hearing my first sonic boom as the shuttle came back. I did not make it up to the cape to see the landing in person so I was watching it on TV and heard them announce the sonic boom on TV. I thought I heard something faint outside and thought that would be it. About 30 seconds later a huge boom boom went by. I was amazed it was that loud even being that far away.

I'll go out tomorrow just to look at see. Who knows.. Wish I did not have to work tomorrow. I'd rent a plane and go fly North and as high as I could so I could see farther across the horizon to try and see it.

Chris SF · « **Reply #91 on:** 11/06/2007 10:02 pm »

Of all the flights to have no TPS issues, it was a good one to be on this flight!

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #92 on:** 11/06/2007 10:07 pm »

Quote

ace007 - 6/11/2007 3:53 PM

Anybody have an idea how far away from the ground track the shuttle can be seen as it comes in. I live in Denver which is between the first and second ground track but it still looks like they will be a ways away when they pass by.

Get on top of a tall building and look to the southwest if they come in on the second opportunity. Other than that, I don't think there would be much chance.

psloss · « **Reply #93 on:** 11/06/2007 10:59 pm »

Watching a replay of Bryan Lunney's briefing...it's probably already noted in the MMT information, but he said that from a consumables standpoint they could extend out to Friday (w/Saturday reserved as a contingency/systems day). Hypothetically Friday would be Flight Day 18. From a SSPTS standpoint, that's pretty good.

rdale · « **Reply #94 on:** 11/06/2007 11:32 pm »

Did a replay help Marcia's question make any more sense? Does she think they'd land in a thunderstorm on Friday? Any idea where she got the thought that the crew was physically at the end of their usefulness?

edkyle99 · « **Reply #95 on:** 11/07/2007 12:19 am »

Quote

JimO - 6/11/2007 4:47 PM

Quote
ace007 - 6/11/2007 3:53 PM

Anybody have an idea how far away from the ground track the shuttle can be seen as it comes in. I live in Denver which is between the first and second ground track but it still looks like they will be a ways away when they pass by.

My experience is that in a bright sky it cannot be seen -- sad to say. But go out and
look, and try to shade your eyes as much as possible. And keep those EARS peeled!

I wonder how far back up the ground track sonic booms are heard. On one mission, an orbiter passed right over Chicago, where I live, during its descent. I heard a distinct single, thud-like boom.

- Ed Kyle

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #96 on:** 11/07/2007 01:40 am »

Discovery's lower orbit has propelled her in-front of the ISS!

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #97 on:** 11/07/2007 02:48 am »

Quote

rdale - 6/11/2007 6:32 PM
Any idea where she got the thought that the crew was physically at the end of their usefulness?

I'm sure she doesn't think that. She just wants to convey that thought to anyone who reads AP so they'll have condescending thoughts about the mission and the agency. That seems to be what AP is about most times...making people look bad for no reason at all. I'd like to see them try, especially this time around. STS-120 has been (in my opinion) the cleanest, greatest post-Columbia flight to date. Congrats to all involved.

nathan.moeller · « **Reply #98 on:** 11/07/2007 02:50 am »

Quote

Ford Mustang - 6/11/2007 8:40 PM

Discovery's lower orbit has propelled her in-front of the ISS!

I think this happens every time. The orbiter will move about 250-300 miles out in front of the station prior to entry. Last September, Expedition 13 caught a pretty spectacular overhead view of Atlantis' re-entry as she headed home to conclude STS-115.