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STS-129 Landing Weather
by
C5C6
on 25 Nov, 2009 12:30
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We're almost 48 hours to landing. Atlantis is scheduled to land 09:41 am EDT (GMT-5) in KSC on orbit 171. I got no info on forecasts, so to start the topic I'll just upload the actual radar image of the KSC area.
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#1
by
rdale
on 25 Nov, 2009 12:36
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No significant concerns (other than it's going to be chilly for those headed out to watch, with temps in the 50's and a stiff breeze.)
We'll push all today's activity out of the area leaving partly cloudy skies and no real chance of precip (USAF has a token 20% chance of showers but I don't see even that much of a threat.)
There will not be any picking and choosing of the runway - that's a given with the wind forecast. We're looking at winds from the northwest at 10-20kts with the possibility of slightly higher gusts, but since there doesn't look to be much crosswind component at all I don't see an issue.
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#2
by
dsmillman
on 25 Nov, 2009 13:02
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#3
by
nathan.moeller
on 25 Nov, 2009 16:01
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There will not be any picking and choosing of the runway - that's a given with the wind forecast. We're looking at winds from the northwest at 10-20kts with the possibility of slightly higher gusts, but since there doesn't look to be much crosswind component at all I don't see an issue.
As in the runway selection is up in the air or it's already chosen? If winds are from the northwest, wouldn't that push them to pre-select three-three? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I'm a bit confused.
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#4
by
psloss
on 25 Nov, 2009 16:11
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There will not be any picking and choosing of the runway - that's a given with the wind forecast. We're looking at winds from the northwest at 10-20kts with the possibility of slightly higher gusts, but since there doesn't look to be much crosswind component at all I don't see an issue.
As in the runway selection is up in the air or it's already chosen? If winds are from the northwest, wouldn't that push them to pre-select three-three?
It's the latter, for basically the reason you note (to land into the wind).
Edit: tagged the SMG forecast sheet for the CONUS sites from this morning here...
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#5
by
nathan.moeller
on 25 Nov, 2009 16:21
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There will not be any picking and choosing of the runway - that's a given with the wind forecast. We're looking at winds from the northwest at 10-20kts with the possibility of slightly higher gusts, but since there doesn't look to be much crosswind component at all I don't see an issue.
As in the runway selection is up in the air or it's already chosen? If winds are from the northwest, wouldn't that push them to pre-select three-three?
It's the latter, for basically the reason you note (to land into the wind).
Edit: tagged the SMG forecast sheet for the CONUS sites from this morning here...
Very good, then. Thanks for the clarification, Philip.
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#6
by
rdale
on 27 Nov, 2009 02:13
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Nothing new from my vantage point... Mostly clear, a little cool (by Florida standards, I've got flurries coming here!) with a gusty northwest wind.
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#7
by
Walter S
on 27 Nov, 2009 02:26
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I am headed down to Titusville in the morning and was curious as to where I should watch from, I was like to get shots of it approaching and banking, etc. Would the drawbridge towards the entrance of Merritt island or Kennedy space center visitor complex be better. Does anyone know how it will approach? Thanks guys!
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#8
by
daveglo
on 27 Nov, 2009 02:36
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I am headed down to Titusville in the morning and was curious as to where I should watch from, I was like to get shots of it approaching and banking, etc. Would the drawbridge towards the entrance of Merritt island or Kennedy space center visitor complex be better. Does anyone know how it will approach? Thanks guys!
Ground tracks for landing are located here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts129/news/landing.html
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#9
by
Walter S
on 27 Nov, 2009 02:43
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Looks like the Nasa Causeway or even Port Canaveral would be the best place I'd say, thanks!
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#10
by
kermit
on 27 Nov, 2009 03:26
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I would opt for the visitors center parking lot. That is about as close as the public can get for a r/w 33 landing.
You will hear the twin booms as Atlantis passes overhead just before they start their turn on the heading alignment circle.
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#11
by
Ford Mustang
on 27 Nov, 2009 03:41
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#12
by
rdale
on 27 Nov, 2009 12:47
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7:55am EST -A few thin cirrus at 31000ft, winds out of the northwest almost right down the runway at 15G23mph.
METAR KTTS 271255Z 32011KT 10SM FEW310 10/02 A3012 RMK SLP200 1CI /0/
N3313/20 C3212/18 S3211/16
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#13
by
rdale
on 27 Nov, 2009 13:27
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METAR KTTS 271355Z 33013G21KT 10SM FEW310 12/02 A3013 RMK SLP204 1CI /0/
N3413/20 C3311/20 S3313/21
8:55am EST - few thin cirrus clouds at 31,000ft. Winds from the northwest at 15G24mph.
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#14
by
rdale
on 27 Nov, 2009 13:57
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Landing ob:
KTTS 271444Z 32010KT 10SM FEW310 12/01 A3013 RMK SLP203 1CI /0/ N33310/16 C3111/17 S3210/16
