Vanity - viewing discovery reentry, 8/8/05

Self ^ | 8/7/05 | self

[Phsstpok]

If the Shuttle comes down, as scheduled, around 3 AM on Monday morning, 8/8, I'm wondering if there's a chance it would be viewable from the Memphis, TN, area

I've been looking on the net but only find current position tracking and historical information, but nothing that predicts the landing track.

Does anyone know of any resources to figure out if this will be viewable for me?

[Phsstpok]

Even if I won't be able to view the descent, can we set up a likely track and try to get Freepers who will be in line of sight to provide reports?

I'm calling on the amazing resources I've seen at work here previously. This matters to me and I would really appreciate any help.

[DefiantZERO]

It's coming from the south, unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to see it from here in New Jersey. I watched it go up though. A couple minutes after lift-off, and it was streaking across the sky from south to north as I walked into work. Pretty cool!

[al baby]

well I know its late or early but im sure the networks will cover it

[Boundless]

Fuggedaboutit (from TN)

Start here:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/050805landingtracks/

NASA will have at least one WB-57 aloft to catch some
footage (to air after landing), but video coverage,
including government, military, news and amateur, is
going to be very much more sparse than for Columbia's
final approach.

This is an understood consequence of NASA now biasing
re-entry to put the most dangerous miles over water.
It was only luck that no one was killed by Columbia
debris. A slight nudge in course, and Dallas could
have been showered with hot heavy projectiles.

[Textide]

Posted this approach path on another thread, but can't hurt to do it again. I'm disappointed that it won't come West to East like Columbia.

Source: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts114/050805landingtracks/

[leadpenny]

It really depends on which orbit NASA orders a de-orbit burn. If you have NASA-TV they should be showing proposed tracks for two or maybe three possible tracks.

[Dog]

Start here..its called Heavens above.. You might have to sign up....but it's easy.

[Supercomputer One]

Good luck to the Discovery crew. Safe landing.

[duck duck goose]

I would go to the Discovery website or the space program site. Usually they post where it can be seen. Also coverage will start around 230 your time.

[leadpenny]

Coumbia had an unusual orbit I believe. The norm over the years has been from the sw over Mexico.

[TXnMA]

Does anyone know of any resources to figure out if this [Discovery's reentry] will be viewable for me?

Here is a map of the return track from an earlier FR thread.

It will be coming in from the south, over Cuba; only Florida viewers will get a good look at it.

[cabojoe]

Heavens Above rocks. I've seen countless Shuttle, Station, Hubble, Mir, and satellite passes by using that site.

[Phsstpok]

Thank you, I knew it had to be out there but I was coming up empty.

It doesn't look like anyone not in the vicinity of Nicaragua, the "Mexican Riviera" or on a cruise ship in the Carribean will have too much of a viewing opportunity.

Now, the next question is how many Freepers fall into any of those categories? Anyone logging in from the Cayman Islands?

I, for one, will be glued to Fox News and FR starting around 3:30 tomorrow morning (I know I'll be up anyway)

Thanks again.

[Normal4me]

As a Space Coast resident, a "Good Look" is a little deceptive. The attitude at which the orbiter comes in at is very high and it is very hard to see. It use to come in from the west over Orlando and only on about three occassions did I actually see it. That being said, it will be dark when it lands tomorrow morning. Unless the thermal tiles are still glowing, black tiles against a dark sky isn't going to work.

The twin sonic booms are always fun though! ;-)

[TXnMA]

NASA will have at least one WB-57 aloft to catch some footage (to air after landing)...

Interesting! I thought I had heard somewhere that NASA had saved at least one RB-57F/G from the boneyard at Monahans. That's quite an aircraft: An old Brit/Martin B-57 "Canberra" bomber with a pair of huge (or, is that "hugh"?) turbofans -- plus looooong extended wings outboard of the nacelles -- plus a couple of small turbojets. Sort of a "super U-2"...

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Gosh, that's pretty. Thanks for posting that. And I don't even really like to fly, LOL! :)

[TXnMA]

Here's a clip I saved from a satview of the Monahans Boneyard -- showing an original Canberra (upper right) sitting right beside the RB/WB-57F/G modification (at lower left). Sort of a neat "before & after" shot...

[TXnMA]

Then #17 is for you, as well, Milady!

[Boundless]

> ... Monahans Boneyard ...

I think you mean Davis-Monthan.

NASA had two WB-57s covering the launch. The HDTV
footage is on their web somewhere, but it was pretty
jittery and blurry.

[TXnMA]

I think you mean Davis-Monthan.

ROTFLOL!!! Of course, you are correct!

Leave it to an old Texan with an obvious case of what A.J. Foyt used to call "momentary brain fade" to think of the Monahans Sand Hills (one of the driest places in Texas) when referring to Davis-Monthan AFB, near Tucson... ;-}

At least I was able to find the image, FTP it into suitable online filespace, and post it where I wanted it to be seen -- fairly expeditiously... :-)

FWIW, I have always dreamed of being able to tour the Boneyard with my Jeep and camera. Just think of all the fantastic history in that place!

Thanks for giving me a good laugh at myself!!! :-0