Space Shuttle Viewing Opportunities

[gaa_ian]

With the latest shuttle mission (STS-124) now launched there are opportunities to see the shuttle as it passes overhead.
I will be doing regular updates of the IIS Calander as I find Interesting Space Mission Info, the first and best one is here for Sydney and Melbourne:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/calendar/calendar.php?mode=view&id=332
Must Admit I have not seen a Shuttle pass myself and look forward to seeing one on the 19th and 20th of June here in Gove NT.
The NASA page that gives both IIS and the Shuttle times on the one page for Major population centers in Australia is below, or you can enter your own co-ordinates.
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/skywatch.cgi?country=Australia
Now here is a challenge for the Astro photographers with tracking scopes !
Capture the shuttle and ISS on the same night :eyepop: !

[Matty P]

Thanks for the heads up Ian. :thumbsup:

I am definitely going to attempt to image the ISS & Shuttle during a passing and I hope others do as well.

When does the Space Shuttle dock with the ISS?

[koputai]

Posted this last night on another Shuttle/IIS thread

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=32351

I've visually observed the Shuttle and ISS chasing each other across the sky a couple of times now. It's quite spectacular to see them speeding along only a few degrees apart.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Spanrz]

Has anyone in Southern Australia ever viewed the Shuttle Re-Entry?

I have, however for the 2 years, I have tried to document it and video it. But the only time I ever did see it, I didn't have a vid camera on me. My wife witnessed it too.

I haven't seen anywhere on the web that anyone has seen it. However, I never was sure it could be seen from Australia.
The flight path takes them over Tasmania on the last path before landing (in re-entry phase).

I seen the re-entry about 2 years ago, and all could be seen is just a trail of very faint sparks. But it was definately naked eye viewing at it's best.

Again, I have been shrouded behind clouds for the 7th time in a row (for shuttle re-entries). Anyone in Tasmania would get a great show.
Rentry over the Australian land, is approx about 12 minutes after the de-orbit burn.
And the traveling arc is from the West to the South East. Peaking about 5-10 degree's high at the SSW direction.

So look to the Southern skies about 10-15 minutes after the burn. Look very low in the Southerly direction, you'll spot it.
This is when the shuttle is using the 51-52 degree inclination setting.

[rhisaac]

I'm in Tassie .... when is the scheduled re=entry? Or have I missed it??

[Spanrz]

You've missed it. :doh:
Flew over on re-entry around 12:20 am Sunday Morning.

I didn't see it either, but this was a few hours later when I last the the re-entry.
First time of shuttle re-entry with no clouds (finally).

Not sure if the Sun helped reflections around 9PM, when I last saw it (2 years ago).
Next time, I'll have my camera pointing in the same direction, but with the long exposure in process.

It should capture the "sparks".

The the next mission, runs at a shorter inclination, meaning it doesn't come as far South or North as this past mission.
So, you'll have to wait 2 more missions to see a re-entry.