Post by John Jones on Apr 28, 2011 16:12:09 GMT 1
Many thanks to Peter from National Preservation.com.
Tomorrow Friday's STS-134 Shuttle launch will be likely to be the last
to be visible from the UK. If cloud cover permits you should be able to
see the Shuttle Endeavour together with the trailing external fuel tank
as it tracks across the far South West and then Mid-Channel at 21:08 BST
Launch is scheduled for 19.47.52 UTC on FRIDAY 29th April 2011. This
equates to 20.47.52 BST (BST is 1 hour ahead of UTC)
As the shuttle launches towards the International Space Station, it
climbs away from Cape Canaveral in Florida at an angle of 51.6 degrees
to the equator - this trajectory means that the shuttle passes over the
far south west of the UK.
Approximately 10 minutes after launch while over the mid atlantic, the
Shuttle's External Fuel Tank (large orange tank beneath the Shuttle) is
jettisoned. The EFT has insufficient energy to go into orbit and goes
half way around the earth before re-entering over the Pacific. The
shuttle itself would do the same if it wasn't for the fact that it fires
its own onboard rockets (OMS pods) to give it the final push to orbit.
The OMS pods are the bulbous bits either side of the shuttle's tail fins.
Assuming the weather co-operates, you'll may be able to see the shuttle
itself with the ET flying in formation close behind for a period of
about 6.5 minutes.
Track crosses far South West and then moves mid-Channel
NASA track predictions show:
21.07:52 BST 50.98N 5.97W alt. 194.96 Km West of Scillies
Sky track: Az 281.6 El 28.7
21.08:22 BST 50.56N 2.95W alt. 199.25 Km Axmouth, Devon
Sky track: Az 275.7 El 59.6
21.08:52 BST 50.06N 0.01E alt. 203.53 Km Mid-Channel
Sky track: Az 114.3 El 61.1 South of Brighton
Let's hope for clear skies!
Tomorrow Friday's STS-134 Shuttle launch will be likely to be the last
to be visible from the UK. If cloud cover permits you should be able to
see the Shuttle Endeavour together with the trailing external fuel tank
as it tracks across the far South West and then Mid-Channel at 21:08 BST
Launch is scheduled for 19.47.52 UTC on FRIDAY 29th April 2011. This
equates to 20.47.52 BST (BST is 1 hour ahead of UTC)
As the shuttle launches towards the International Space Station, it
climbs away from Cape Canaveral in Florida at an angle of 51.6 degrees
to the equator - this trajectory means that the shuttle passes over the
far south west of the UK.
Approximately 10 minutes after launch while over the mid atlantic, the
Shuttle's External Fuel Tank (large orange tank beneath the Shuttle) is
jettisoned. The EFT has insufficient energy to go into orbit and goes
half way around the earth before re-entering over the Pacific. The
shuttle itself would do the same if it wasn't for the fact that it fires
its own onboard rockets (OMS pods) to give it the final push to orbit.
The OMS pods are the bulbous bits either side of the shuttle's tail fins.
Assuming the weather co-operates, you'll may be able to see the shuttle
itself with the ET flying in formation close behind for a period of
about 6.5 minutes.
Track crosses far South West and then moves mid-Channel
NASA track predictions show:
21.07:52 BST 50.98N 5.97W alt. 194.96 Km West of Scillies
Sky track: Az 281.6 El 28.7
21.08:22 BST 50.56N 2.95W alt. 199.25 Km Axmouth, Devon
Sky track: Az 275.7 El 59.6
21.08:52 BST 50.06N 0.01E alt. 203.53 Km Mid-Channel
Sky track: Az 114.3 El 61.1 South of Brighton
Let's hope for clear skies!
