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#260 by Austin on 18 Jan, 2007 00:36
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astrobrian - 17/1/2007 9:50 AM
Mine is the 18th, but I am not gonna ask for a delay just for me
The way I see it, ISS docking might be my present 
I admire your selflessness!! Either way, let's hope we're both grinning from ear to ear with the launch of STS-117 in March!
And Nathan, I don't know if it is a "work-to" date or not. I'll see if I can find out.
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#261 by scubaroo on 18 Jan, 2007 17:12
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Would be good watching 2 Sunrises within a hour (STS-117 and then the real thing)
Cocoa Beach Sunrise/Sunsets in March from http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/Florida.asp
Bill Harwood tentative LO at 03/15/07...STS-117...Launch (6:42 AM EDT)
Or have I miscalculated the DST?
(Nautical twilight is defined when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon. At the beginning or end of nautical twilight, under good atmospheric conditions and in the absence of other illumination, general outlines of ground objects may be distinguishable, but detailed outdoor operations are not possible, and the horizon is indistinct. )
14
Twi A: 6:15am
Twi N: 6:43am
Twi: 7:10am
Sunrise: 7:34am
15th March
Twi A: 6:14am
Twi Nautical: 6:42am
Twi: 7:09am
Sunrise: 7:32am
16
Twi A: 6:13am
Twi N: 6:41am
Twi: 7:08am
Sunrise: 7:31am
17
Twi A: 6:12am
Twi N: 6:39am
Twi: 7:07am
Sunrise: 7:30am -
#262 by Rocket Guy on 18 Jan, 2007 17:37
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At 6:42, it will be a solid night launch for all that matters. There might *just* be the hint of something blue coming up on the horizon, but once the shuttle launches you won't even notice :-)
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#263 by nathan.moeller on 18 Jan, 2007 19:07
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Scubaroo, it will look something like the STS-109 liftoff if they launch within the first two or three days of the window. STS-109 launched at 6:22 AM EST on March 1, 2002 and there was a good amount of sunlight on the horizon, even though the sun hadn't come up yet. The booster flames made it look like the dead-of-night again for those who were close enough but it turned back to day pretty quick. But yeah, go here and watch the launch video and replays (Realplayer required). That's probably close to what we can expect to see. We'll hope for the cloud deck again
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-109/movies/movies.html
EDIT: If they launch on the first day or two, it will probably be closer to the STS-102 launch, which launched at 6:42 AM EST on March 8, 2001. Pretty dazzling as well.
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-102/movies/movies.html -
#264 by Joffan on 18 Jan, 2007 19:21
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Assuming 15 March launch at exactly 6:42am ...
By my reckoning the Shuttle reaches sunlight at about 4 minutes into flight, due to gaining height and making distance east. The long lenses should just about catch it. SRBs jettison before that of course, T+2min, but even then it should be rather brighter up there (45km) than at ground level. -
#265 by nathan.moeller on 18 Jan, 2007 19:30
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You're right. This can be seen clearly by those who were standing in viewing sites that were no where near the launch site. But the best idea of daylight you get is from the flight deck view. They're flying right into the sunlight. Rather beautiful. But yes, once the shuttle has gained enough altitude (within the first minute of flight), the sunlight becomes much more apparent to those at the viewing sites near the Launch Complex. Those who are many miles away will have apparent daylight throughout the launch. Bear in mind this assumes a liftoff within the first three, or so, days of the launch window.
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#266 by Rocket Guy on 18 Jan, 2007 20:04
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No, it will NOT be a predawn launch like 109, and will of course not be a sunrise launch like 102. This will be a DARK night launch. Sunrise is 7:33, launch is 6:42 on the first day or 6:17 on the second day. If the smoke contrail has any chance of seeing sunlight (which I do not think it will), then it would be on the first attempt only.
While the SRB trail climbs mighty high, the rate at which the sun illuminates atmosphere by height is rather fast.
You are comparing launch times, when this does not matter when you are talking about the sun rising at a totally different time. 109 was 30 mins before sunrise, 102 was one minute after the sun was up. -
#267 by nathan.moeller on 18 Jan, 2007 20:11
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Didn't know that. But I'm not talking sunrise. I am indeed making a few comparisons to gain a very ROUGH idea as to what we MIGHT see. I know that it will be quite dark, but some sunlight will probably be visible on the horizon. I've had my fair share of all-nighters and have seen a few sun-ups. The sky starts getting lighter a good while before the sun actually rises. Thank you Architorture
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#268 by Rocket Guy on 18 Jan, 2007 20:19
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I believe there will be the first hint of blue coming up, but not enough to make this what I describe as "different than a night launch."
I don't consider 109 a night launch even though NASA does, beacuse it doesn't have the same effect in person :-)
My best bet is that, if any of the trail reaches sunlight, it will be the uppermost 5 miles or less. I cannot think offhand of any launch that occured 45-50 minutes before or after sunrise/set, so this may be a first for the shuttle. The most, while still being light out, that I can think of is 27 minutes for 109.
Several launches, maybe five, have happened at the instant of sunrise and several more have been within the 30 minute mark either way. If it moves up to the 14th, then we'll be talking ;-) -
#269 by TJL on 18 Jan, 2007 20:25
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With launch at 6:42 am, that will bring Atlantis into my view (Long Island, NY) at approximately 6:50.
If skys are clear, we should get a nice view of powered flight followed by MECO. Viewing conditions were really great here for last months launch of STS-116. -
#270 by nathan.moeller on 18 Jan, 2007 20:45
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Ben - 18/1/2007 3:19 PM
I believe there will be the first hint of blue coming up, but not enough to make this what I describe as "different than a night launch."
I don't consider 109 a night launch even though NASA does, beacuse it doesn't have the same effect in person :-)
My best bet is that, if any of the trail reaches sunlight, it will be the uppermost 5 miles or less. I cannot think offhand of any launch that occured 45-50 minutes before or after sunrise/set, so this may be a first for the shuttle. The most, while still being light out, that I can think of is 27 minutes for 109.
Several launches, maybe five, have happened at the instant of sunrise and several more have been within the 30 minute mark either way. If it moves up to the 14th, then we'll be talking ;-)
Didn't know all that Thanks Ben. Glad to know we have someone who's been to plenty of launches and knows all these stats. Yeah STS-109 wasn't a night launch IMO either but I guess with flight log rules it was officially. What is it? 15 minutes before/after sunrise/set to be classified as night launch/landing? Oh well. Yeah I don't see the 14th happening but who knows? Either way, I think we're in for a heck of a light show. Thanks for info.
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#271 by Rocket Guy on 18 Jan, 2007 20:57
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Yea, it's a 15 minute rule. they may not be true night launches but they are the prettiest. I hope to see another sunrise and sunset launch before it's over. Sept. 7 is one right now, but it could change by the time it arrives. (And going off-topic, THEMIS is scheduled for 6:07 to 6:27 with sunset at 6:13).
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#272 by Chris Bergin on 18 Jan, 2007 22:13
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From one of several reports dated today, on L2:
OV-104 (STS-117) OPF-1
APU Water Line Heater Retest work performed yesterday – test results were nominal.
FCP complete and good with FCP-148/V5182.
IPR-0056 - plan is to have ECL remove the wire harness from the vehicle early tomorrow morning and have NSLD run a highpot test at OPF-1 first shift on Friday. NSLD will then repair the harness in time for power up on Monday morning.
Payload Bay Doors were cycled yesterday to support tile work. Zero-G fixture and strongback will be removed today.
The Payload customer has formally requested a schedule change for transporting the Payload to the Pad in order to change out a rotary motor controller. The payload is currently scheduled to arrive at the Pad on the 8th of February; the new date is February 18th.
Final full-up Hydraulics will be performed later tonight to position aerosurfaces for roll out. A dedicated hydraulic operation was performed on 1st shift yesterday to lower the landing gear (MLG and nose gear). The gear should stay lowered until V1098 unless TPS/MEQ has a need to raise the gear.
IPR-0052 DDU BITE troubleshooting resumes tonight.
Orbiter Final Power down scheduled for Thursday, 1/25/07. -
#273 by shuttlefan on 18 Jan, 2007 22:23
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Chris Bergin - 18/1/2007 5:13 PM
From one of several reports dated today, on L2:
OV-104 (STS-117) OPF-1
APU Water Line Heater Retest work performed yesterday – test results were nominal.
FCP complete and good with FCP-148/V5182.
IPR-0056 - plan is to have ECL remove the wire harness from the vehicle early tomorrow morning and have NSLD run a highpot test at OPF-1 first shift on Friday. NSLD will then repair the harness in time for power up on Monday morning.
Payload Bay Doors were cycled yesterday to support tile work. Zero-G fixture and strongback will be removed today.
The Payload customer has formally requested a schedule change for transporting the Payload to the Pad in order to change out a rotary motor controller. The payload is currently scheduled to arrive at the Pad on the 8th of February; the new date is February 18th.
Final full-up Hydraulics will be performed later tonight to position aerosurfaces for roll out. A dedicated hydraulic operation was performed on 1st shift yesterday to lower the landing gear (MLG and nose gear). The gear should stay lowered until V1098 unless TPS/MEQ has a need to raise the gear.
IPR-0052 DDU BITE troubleshooting resumes tonight.
Orbiter Final Power down scheduled for Thursday, 1/25/07.
Chris, is ET/SRB mate still on for tomorrow? -
#274 by DaveS on 18 Jan, 2007 22:38
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shuttlefan - 19/1/2007 12:23 AM
Yes. No constraints for S0003 ops tommorow.
Chris, is ET/SRB mate still on for tomorrow? -
#275 by shuttlefan on 18 Jan, 2007 22:43
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DaveS - 18/1/2007 5:38 PM
Quoteshuttlefan - 19/1/2007 12:23 AM
Yes. No constraints for S0003 ops tommorow.
Chris, is ET/SRB mate still on for tomorrow?
S0003 ops means, ET/SRB mating, I gather. Can someone provide a list of important processing milestones and their associated S..... numbers as with S0003 for ET mating ops.? Just interested.... -
#276 by mkirk on 18 Jan, 2007 23:05
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shuttlefan - 18/1/2007 5:43 PM
QuoteDaveS - 18/1/2007 5:38 PM
Quoteshuttlefan - 19/1/2007 12:23 AM
Yes. No constraints for S0003 ops tommorow.
Chris, is ET/SRB mate still on for tomorrow?
S0003 ops means, ET/SRB mating, I gather. Can someone provide a list of important processing milestones and their associated S..... numbers as with S0003 for ET mating ops.? Just interested....
Yes S0003 is ET/SRB Mate Ops. I thought I posted a list of the major S and V operations somewhere in all of these threads. I will make another short list of the major processing operations/OMI numbers and post it later tonight or first thing in the morning.
Mark Kirkman -
#277 by Chris Bergin on 19 Jan, 2007 01:47
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Thanks Mark, that'd be great.
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#278 by shuttlefan on 19 Jan, 2007 02:29
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mkirk - 18/1/2007 6:05 PM
Quoteshuttlefan - 18/1/2007 5:43 PM
QuoteDaveS - 18/1/2007 5:38 PM
Quoteshuttlefan - 19/1/2007 12:23 AM
Yes. No constraints for S0003 ops tommorow.
Chris, is ET/SRB mate still on for tomorrow?
S0003 ops means, ET/SRB mating, I gather. Can someone provide a list of important processing milestones and their associated S..... numbers as with S0003 for ET mating ops.? Just interested....
Yes S0003 is ET/SRB Mate Ops. I thought I posted a list of the major S and V operations somewhere in all of these threads. I will make another short list of the major processing operations/OMI numbers and post it later tonight or first thing in the morning.
Mark Kirkman
Much appreciated Mark!! Sorry, maybe I should've tried searching the other threads first.
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#279 by Chris Bergin on 19 Jan, 2007 03:28
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A snippet from the ATK Quick Look presentation on L2 (Jan 18) - ahead of Friday's stacking of ET-124 with the boosters.
The way I see it, ISS docking might be my present 
