Shuttle Discovery set for final mission.

[Davej]

Hi,
After a great deal of deliberation Nasa officials decided to go ahead with the launch on 24th Feb (21.50 UT).

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shutt ... index.html

The ISS is going to be visible once again, early evening from 21st Feb.
Will be interesting to see if we can see the 'catch up' chase between the Shuttle Discovery and the ISS for the final time.
All the best
Dave

[david entwistle]

The ISS is going to be visible once again, early evening from 21st Feb.
Will be interesting to see if we can see the 'catch up' chase between the Shuttle Discovery and the ISS for the final time.

Hi Dave,

It'll be interesting to watch.

I've just been browsing the STS133 Press Kit. I hadn't previously realized that R2 Robonaut - the humanoid robot - will be travelling with STS133. Not having legs, I suppose he can't complain about not getting a seat....

[Davej]

Hi David,

Yes this is going to be really interesting.

Lets hope the docking with
ATV-2 goes as plan just hours before Discovery is due to launch (I think this is what is causing the concern for the schedualed launch date).
There are latest updates here (including live streaming of the launch pad), but will be watching the launch on Nasa TV hopefully.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/s ... tatus.html

All the best
Dave

[andyT]

ahh thanks for that Dave,will check out and keep a lookout.
andy

[Davej]

Hi,
Just checked on the HA site for this evenings (Sat 26th) Discovery and ISS pass times (the Shuttle predictions have changed a couple of times since yesterday so best to keep checking). The Shuttle pass begins at 18.29 UT and the ISS AT 18.36 UT (both visible, if the weather suddenly decides to play ball).
The docking is due a short time later at 19.15 UT.
More info can be found here.
All the best
Dave

[andyT]

thanks for that Dave,running only ISS freqs on the radios today/tonight.might get lucky.weather brightening up here.
andy

[david entwistle]

Hi,
Just checked on the HA site for this evenings (Sat 26th) Discovery and ISS pass times (the Shuttle predictions have changed a couple of times since yesterday so best to keep checking). The Shuttle pass begins at 18.29 UT and the ISS AT 18.36 UT (both visible, if the weather suddenly decides to play ball).
The docking is due a short time later at 19.15 UT.
More info can be found here.
All the best
Dave

Hi,

Perfect conditions at the moment and two visible passes from here, north west England. One just before docking and one just after. Heavens Above is still showing a 9 minute difference in ISS / STS-133 appearance time, before and after it should be docked. So I'm tempted to ignore the time given for STS-133 and just use the ISS visible pass times.

[David Frydman]

What is the predicted time for both for southern England, please?

David.

[Davej]

What is the predicted time for both for southern England, please?

David.

Hi David,

I dont know exactly your location but these times are for Plymouth (from HA) only about a minute difference from my location in Sheffield.

Discovery

26 Feb -1.8 18:29:25 10 SW 18:31:26 49 SSE 18:33:20 11 E

ISS

26 Feb -3.5 18:35:27 10 WSW 18:38:22 65 SSE 18:41:00 12 ENE
26 Feb -1.8 20:10:48 10 W 20:12:35 32 WNW 20:12:35 32 WNW

All the best
Dave

[David Frydman]

Thank you Dave, I looked up Heavens Above and got times 45seconds later for ISS. Did not get shuttle.
My problem is my back I cannot stand for long, but hope I can manage both.
Only a little clear sky above WSW horizon otherwise a lot of cloud

Regards David.

[David Frydman]

Watched for 12.5 minutes only saw ISS at predicted time approx. Mag minus 3 at brightest in cloud gaps but even saw through cloud which was stripey and obviously not too thick.

So I did not see Shuttle.

David

Saw Jupiter of course and some brighter stars unaided eye.

[david entwistle]

So I did not see Shuttle.

Hi David,

The ISS and STS-133 were almost docked during the first early evening (26th February 2011) pass, as seen from the UK. So, despite what Heavens Above suggested for the STS-133 pass, you almost certainly saw both the ISS and STS-133, but they appeared as one. Here's an image from St Mary's Church yard, Goosnargh. My eyes aren't very good, but I couldn't resolve the two either.


FujiFilm Finepix S2000, ISO400, 4 second exposure, F3.5.

[Davej]

Hi,
I too only saw the ISS (but unknowingly, possibly, the Shuttle as you say David E).
Never thought about using the binoculars as I didn't expect them to be so close thanks to HA.
HA predicted the max. alt/times for Discovery to be 18.31 UT 26deg. and the ISS to be 18.38 UT at an alt. of 36deg. Quite a difference isn't there
Well done to everyone who managed to catch both.
All the best
Dave

[andyT]

Hi David,very nice image that well done.
andy.
on the lookout here tonight.

So I did not see Shuttle.

Hi David,

The ISS and STS-133 were almost docked during the first early evening (26th February 2011) pass, as seen from the UK. So, despite what Heavens Above suggested for the STS-133 pass, you almost certainly saw both the ISS and STS-133, but they appeared as one. Here's an image from St Mary's Church yard, Goosnargh. My eyes aren't very good, but I couldn't resolve the two either.


FujiFilm Finepix S2000, ISO400, 4 second exposure, F3.5.

[andyT]

evening all,the ISS/STS133 just gone directly over the house.heading easterly.
lots of packet signalls on 145.825 FM.really bright too.
andy.