| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 575.1 | | STAR::HUGHES | | Mon Nov 06 1989 18:21 | 10 |
| The window is not that critical for a shuttle launched payload to
geosynchronous orbit as there is some flexibility as to when the
transfer stage is deployed and fired. I think the main requirements are
that the perigee and apogee burns occur within sight of the controlling
ground station.
I'd expect them to follow basically the same routine as the last TDRS
launch if it is carrying a DSCS or other comsat, i.e. morning launch.
gary
|
| 575.2 | Upcoming night launch | VINO::DZIEDZIC | | Tue Nov 07 1989 09:26 | 2 |
| I vaguely remember hearing on the news right after the last
shuttle launch that (one of) the next one(s) would be at night.
|
| 575.3 | GEO_SYNC or Rendezvous with satelites passed | HYDRA::BIRO | | Tue Nov 07 1989 10:52 | 43 |
| If the launch is at 7:14PM EST then there is a window open
to rendezvous with the last DOD satellite... There is
speculation that the last DOD mission is only a booster,
that is why it has been reported as a tumbler. IE end over
end as if it was a long tube. If this was so then the shuttle would
have to be put into a 57 deg inc orbit. This has some meret as it would
make sense to put the KH-12 into a sun-synch orbit...
Science fiction? - probably - but I will keep digging..
However in support of this idea the 89061B has changed orbits, it is lower
and for those tracking it about 2 min early, reports
have it that the tumbling that was reported in AW has
stoped...
Other possiblities, if it was another Lacrosse bird then
you may want to build a constllation, each hour would put
the LaCross 15 deg further east but it does not fit a night
launch for any resonable configuration.
GEO-synch missions have a fairly short launch windows because they
need to have a RAAN in a certain place for the transfer orbit.
If you plot the NASA element set from the transfer orbit to
the final one there is typically a 5deg shift, the most I have
seen is 15 deg. About 1 hour would pass for a LEO to change 15 deg.
This would indicate that the launch window would only be 1 hour or so.
AW has the cargo on this mission to be 45,735 lb., which includes a
32,500lb IUS and its 7,249-lb tilt table, which will be return to
earth at the end of the 4 day mission. They go on to say that the
IUS can put about 6000 lb into geo oribit. They say the satellite
is a ferret for voice tlm etc from Soviet military installations.
The give the launch at 06:30pm EST with a 70 min window. The
orbit will be 110x280 naut miles and a launch azimuth of 28.45 deg.
The spacecraft to be deployed on the 7th orbit, with the IUS to
be ignited on the 8th orbit. I check the numbers AW published
and the payload would have to be 5,986 lb, thus in GEO range.
jb
|
| 575.4 | | STAR::HUGHES | | Tue Nov 07 1989 17:10 | 9 |
| Are you speculating that the last DoD mission left a transfer stage
that is to be used with an as yet unlaunched vehicle?
If STS-33 is carrying an IUS then it is almost certainly a geosynch
bird. If it is a ferret, then it is probably the most recent version of
vortex/chalet (or magnum/aquacade/rhyolite... they keep changing the
names).
gary
|
| 575.5 | STS-33 Update - November 7 | RENOIR::KLAES | N = R*fgfpneflfifaL | Wed Nov 08 1989 11:47 | 89 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: KSC Space Shuttle Report (Forwarded)
Date: 7 Nov 89 17:25:44 GMT
Reply-To: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
Tuesday November 7, 1989 (as of 9:30 a.m.)
KSC Space Shuttle Processing Status Report
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STS-33 -- Discovery (OV 103) - Pad 39-B
Overnight, the helium signature test was completed
successfully. Though there was a slight misalignment in one of
the pressurized hoses, the problem was quickly corrected and the
test was completed on schedule. Also in process is work to
replenish the liquid oxygen tanks. LOX replenishment is scheduled
for completion today. The Modular Auxiliary Data Systems (MADS)
recorder will be retested today. Heat shield installation on main
engines two and three has been completed. Tomorrow, the Flight
Readiness Test will be performed on the shuttle main engines.
Today, shuttle managers are concluding their meeting at KSC
for the Flight Readiness Review. This meeting is to assess the
STS-33 launch, mission, landing and recovery teams' readiness for
a safe and successful mission. A launch date and launch period is
expected to be announced following the meeting later this
afternoon.
STS-32 -- Columbia (OV 102) - OPF Bay 2
Power on testing on the orbiter Columbia began this morning
in the Orbiter Processing Facility with power up occuring at 7:00
a.m. In addition, the external tank door latch pull test was
completed Monday and the shuttle main engines hot gas leak checks
were finished overnight. Heat shields will be installed on main
engine number two later today. Payload bay closeouts and
inspections are continuing. Work flows are on schedule for the
orbiter to be rolled over to the VAB November 13. Columbia is
scheduled for mission STS-32 on which the SYNCOM satellite will
be deployed and the LDEF satellite now in Earth orbit will be
retrieved and returned to KSC. Launch is scheduled for December
1989 from pad 39-A.
STS-36 -- Atlantis (OV 104) - OPF Bay 1
The orbiter Atlantis is scheduled to be powered up at 11:00
a.m. today. Yesterday, the orbiter's power system was validated
and the RTG systems installed for the deployment of the Galileo
spacecraft will be disconnected later this week. Atlantis is
currently scheduled for mission STS-36, a Department of Defense
dedicated mission to be launched in February 1990.
STS-32 Solid Rocket Boosters/External Tank - VAB
Connections between the external tank and solid rocket
boosters are being completed and testing of the connections are
underway. The orbiter will be mated to the stack following
rollover planned for next week.
Ron Baalke | (818) 541-2341 x260
Jet Propulsion Lab M/S 301-355 | baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
4800 Oak Grove Dr. |
Pasadena, CA 91109 |
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Launch Advisory (Forwarded)
Date: 7 Nov 89 17:26:42 GMT
Reply-To: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
LAUNCH ADVISORY: STS-33 DISCOVERY MISSION LAUNCH DATE SET
At the conclusion of today's STS-33 Flight Readiness Review at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Space Shuttle managers have
targeted a date of no earlier than Nov. 20, 1989 for the launch of a
dedicated Department of Defense mission aboard the orbiter Discovery.
The 4-hour launch period will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST. At the
present time, no major issues are being worked which might preclude
launch on the 20.
Ron Baalke | (818) 541-2341 x260
Jet Propulsion Lab M/S 301-355 | baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
4800 Oak Grove Dr. |
Pasadena, CA 91109 |
|
| 575.6 | launch window | HYDRA::BIRO | | Fri Nov 10 1989 10:43 | 14 |
|
STS-33 LAUNCH WINDOW for NOV 20
18:30 to 22:30
There is still an outside chance that this mission
could rendezvous with USA-40 if it launch within the
first 30 min of the window and went into a 57 deg orbit.
However - AW has a good record so I would believe that
this is a GEO_sync mission. The next DOD mission will be
STS-36 ( Feb 90 ) watch and see if this is a 57 deg mission.
jb
|
| 575.7 | More support for a 57 deg Launch | HYDRA::BIRO | | Tue Nov 14 1989 11:12 | 25 |
|
AW had an article that the USA-40 spin rate had been
reduce from 30rpm to about 1, this an rumors that the
launch azimuthe will be NE not due East might mean
that the AW is wrong and this could be a 57 deg mission.
AW reported that there would be 3 OHMS, and that the
shuttle woul dinitially enter orbit at 204x519km. The
first burn would be to circlarize the orbit at 519km.
All burns would be done by the end or orbit 4, the
one likly conclusion would be to raise the orbit even
higher, another is to get in position for a rendezvous
with USA-40. USA-40 has also changed orbits and is now in
about a 510km orbit. What ever is going to go on
will happen on the 7th orbit.... and 8th orbit.
Only Time will tell....
jb
|
| 575.8 | STS-33 Observation Guide | HYDRA::BIRO | | Wed Nov 15 1989 11:06 | 477 |
| STS 33 Visual Observation Guide
-------------------------------
by T.J. Molczan, Toronto, Canada
12 Nov 1989
rev 13 Nov 1989 (mainly Sec. 1.2.1)
The following information is intended to assist those who wish to attempt
visual observations of STS 33. This is a DOD mission, and therefore, most
aspects of the mission have been classified. However, it is possible to make
an accurate assessment of the prospects for visual observation using the
information that is in the public domain. All that is required is a basic
knowledge of orbital mechanics, shuttle orbit constraints and some leaked
information made available by various news media.
To make use of the information in this report you will require an orbit
prediction program, compatible with NORAD "2-line" orbital elements. Programs
for this purpose can be downloaded, free, from the Celestial RCP/M BBS, based
in Ohio. See Section 5.0 for details on accessing this board.
1.0 STS 33 Mission
--------------
1.1 AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY - 6 NOV 89
-------------------------------------------
According to AV WEEK, STS 33 will launch a secret, military signal
intelligence-gathering satellite, identical to the one launched by STS 51-C in
Jan 85.
The shuttle will initially enter a 204 km x 519 km orbit at an inclination of
28.45 deg to the equator. There will be three OMS (orbital manoeuvering
system) burns, the last on rev #4. (Presumably, the first burn would
circularize the orbit at 519 km. Will the remaining two take it even higher?)
The satellite will be deployed on the 7th orbit and will ignite its IUS rocket
at the ascending node of the 8th orbit, to place it in a geo-synchronous
transfer orbit. (Presumably the orbits are counted using NASA's method,
whereby the first ascending node is the start of rev #2. NORAD would call
this rev #1.)
The launch has been scheduled for 20 Nov. The 4 h launch period begins at
18:30 EST. The actual launch window is 70 min long. (Several media sources
have said that the launch is scheduled for 19:34 EST.)
The mission will last 4d 2h 13m, with landing at Edwards AFB on rev 64.
1.2 The Rumour Mill
---------------
AV WEEK's past DoD shuttle exposes have generally proved to be reliable, so
there is good reason to be confident of their STS 33 story. However, the
possibility of a disinformation campaign cannot be ruled out. A friend has
learned from a usually reliable source that the launch azimuth will be to the
north-east and not due east as the AV WEEK article implies. This would suggest
a high inclination mission, perhaps 57 deg, as on STS 27 and STS 28. The
source confirms the 19:34 EST launch time. The following are some possible
57 deg inclination missions, based on rumours and interesting coincidences.
1.2.1 Re-fueling Mission
------------------
There has been a rumour that either STS 33 or STS 36 (9 Feb 1990) will be a
re-fueling mission in a 57 deg inclination orbit. A possible candidate for
such a mission is USA 40 (89061B / 20167), launched in August by STS 28. This
satellite was reported by AV WEEK to have been a new generation of photo recon
sat. Past such satellites were launched into sun-synchronous (approx 97 deg
inclination) orbits from Vandenberg AFB, using ELV's. Plans to launch
shuttles on similar missions from Vandenberg were dropped after the Challenger
accident.
A photo recon sat in a 57 deg inc orbit loses the nearly constant shadows on
the ground, and pole to pole coverage afforded by sun-synchronous orbits.
Therefore, some observers have suggested that USA 40 might increase its
inclination. Orbital plane changes are very costly in terms of fuel, so a
sun-synch orbit is probably not feasible, however a 70 deg inclination might
be within reach. USA 40 was deployed into a 57 deg inc, 300 km orbit and
then manoeuvered into a 432 km x 487 km orbit. It is conceivable that it is
awaiting re-fueling so that it can move to a higher inclination. Another,
possibility is that it could be a fuel tank awaiting the launch of the photo-
recon sat.
Until a few days ago, the main problem with a rendezvous involving USA 40 was
that it was not manoeuvering and had a rapid spin, an indication that it might
have failed. When the object was first seen in its present orbit, in mid-
August, the spin was 30.7 RPM. Natural forces have gradually reduced the spin
rate, and as of 8 Nov it was 28.6 RPM. However, based on observations over the
past few days, it has been determined that the object manoeuvered on 8 Nov. It
is now in a 409 km x 510 km orbit. This is 5.5 km higher and somewhat more
eccentric than prior to the manoeuver. Is it only a coincidence that the burn
took place one day after the completion of the STS 33 flight readiness review?
Also, recall that in the previous section, AV WEEK claimed that the shuttle
would enter a 204 km x 519 km orbit and then complete four OMS burns up to
rev #4. Could those be part of a rendezvous?
In the event that STS 33 is intended to rendezvous with USA 40, then the
launch would be expected at about 18:48 EST on 20 Nov, and 21 min earlier each
day thereafter. It would have to head north east into a 57 deg orbital
inclination, instead of the expected due east into a 28.45 deg inclination.
This would be very obvious to those at the launch site. Television viewers
would notice that the vehicle would roll through a much greater angle than
usual, though this might be difficult to judge from certain camera angles.
1.2.2 Lacrosse 2 Deployment
---------------------
Will STS 33 deploy the second satellite in the Lacrosse series? It is
interesting to note that the expected launch time, 19:34 EST on 20 Nov, would
enable a Lacrosse 2 to be deployed in a plane 45 degrees east of Lacrosse 1.
(The initial separation would be 47.9 deg east, but this would decrease to
45 deg east by the time Lacrosse 2 reached its final altitude, assuming the
same timing of mission events as for Lacrosse 1.)
This sounds interesting, however, no one knows the planned spacing for the
Lacrosse series. Furthermore, a launch at 13:59 EST would enable the plane
of Lacrosse 2 to be placed 45 deg WEST of Lacrosse 1. This would be the same
net result as putting it 45 deg EAST, without the need for a night launch.
The launch window for missions involving Lacrosse would be 19 min earlier
each day.
2.0 Orbital Elements
----------------
The following is a simplified procedure to estimate the orbital elements of
STS 33 :
2.1 Inclination
-----------
It is assumed that the inclination will be 28.45 deg as reported by AV WEEK.
(In case the inclination is 57 deg, as some people suspect, then refer to
section 2.7)
2.2 Mean Motion and Rate of Decay
-----------------------------
Based on the AV WEEK story, the shuttle will be at least 519 km high until
rev #4, when it may go even higher. The mean motion corresponding to a 519 km
altitude is 15.18 rev/day. In case AV WEEK has got the height wrong, it would
be prudent to use several mean motions in the range between, say, 15.0 and
15.9 rev/day.
If the shuttle goes into a 57 deg inclination to rendezvous with 89061B or
deploy a Lacrosse, then the most likely mean motion would be about
15.39 rev/day. Still, it would be a good idea to use 15.0 rev/d to 15.9 rev/d
to play it safe.
The great uncertainty in the mean motion makes it useless to make estimates of
the rate of orbital decay, therefore set any drag or decay elements in your
orbit prediction model to zero.
2.3 Eccentricity, Argument of Perigee and Mean Anomaly
--------------------------------------------------
Shuttle orbits are close enough to circular that a zero eccentricity, argument
of perigee and mean anomaly can be assumed.
2.4 Epoch
-----
For a 28.45 deg inclination mission, the first complete revolution about the
Earth begins when the shuttle reaches its first ascending node (north-bound
equator crossing), which occurs about 1 h 13 m after liftoff. This is a
reasonable time to use for the epoch.
The launch time and date must be expressed in UTC (Universal Time). If the
shuttle is launched as expected on 20 Nov at 19:34 EST, then this would be
21 Nov 00:34 UTC. The time of day of the epoch would be :
00:34 UTC
+ 01:13
-----
01:47 UTC
The day of the year is also part of the epoch and is commonly combined with
the time of day of the epoch as follows :
EPOCH = YYDDD.dddddd
where: YY = last 2 digits of year i.e. 89 for 1989
DDD = day of year, i.e. 21 Nov 1989 is day 325
.dddddd = fraction of day, i.e. 01:47 UTC = (1 + 47 / 60) / 24
= 0.074306
Putting the above pieces together yields :
EPOCH = 89325.074306
2.5 Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (RAAN)
--------------------------------------------
The RAAN is a function of the longitude and the time and date of the ascending
node. For the above EPOCH, which corresponds with the ascending node of the
first revolution of a 28.45 deg orbit, the longitude of the ascending node is
-173.2 deg W.
The first step is to calculate the Greenwich mean sidereal time at the epoch.
An accurate formula for 1989 is :
GMST = (6.6424 + 0.06571 * DDD + 24.06571 * 0.dddddd) mod 24
where DDD and 0.dddddd are as defined above
For the epoch calculated earlier the GMST is :
GMST = (6.6424 + 0.06571 * 325 + 24.06571 * 0.074306) mod 24
= 29.7864 mod 24
= 5.7864 h
The final step is to calculate RAAN :
RAAN = (15 * GMST - WEST LONGITUDE) mod 360
= (15 * 5.7864 - (-173.2)) mod 360
= 260.0 deg
2.6 For 57 DEG Inclination Orbits
-----------------------------
In case the shuttle goes into a 57 deg inclination orbit, the above formulas
for EPOCH and RAAN still apply, however the following values change. The
first ascending node begins 01:27 after lift-off, and the ascending node is
+122.0 deg W. Therefore, assuming the same launch date and time as above :
EPOCH = 89325.084028
GMST = 6.0203
RAAN = (15 * 6.0203 - (+122.0)) mod 360
= 328.3 deg
2.7 Summary
-------
The above estimates are summarized below in a pseudo NORAD 2-line format :
Launch on 21 Nov 89 at 00:34 UTC into 28.45 deg inclination :
-------------------------------------------------------------
89325.074306 00000000 00000+00 00000+00
28.45 260.0 0 0 0 15.0 to 15.9 00001
Launch on 21 Nov 89 at 00:34 UTC into 57 deg inclination :
----------------------------------------------------------
89325.084028 00000000 00000+00 00000+00
57.0 328.3 0 0 0 15.0 to 15.9 00001
3.0 Visibility Window Analysis
--------------------------
The tables below show the range of dates of visibility (visibility window) of
the shuttle during the upcoming mission. There are individual tables for
evening and morning for 28.45 deg and 57 deg inclination missions. Visibility
windows are a function of time/date of launch and observer's latitude. The
windows have been computed for 5 launch times over the announced launch
period of 20 NOV 18:30 EST - 22:30 EST, however all times and dates have been
expressed in Universal Time. In many cases the windows begin several days
prior to the the launch date. This merely indicates when the window would
have begun, had the orbit pre-existed the launch date.
The windows were based on a circular orbit, 519 km high, as indicated by the
AV WEEK story. If the shuttle goes lower, then the windows generally will be
narrower, and some windows will "disappear". For this project, a window was
defined as passes which culminate at least 5 deg above the horizon, and which
are illuminated for more than half of the pass.
If the mission is delayed, then add the number of days of the delay to the
launch and visibility window dates in the tables.
28.45 DEG INCLINATION - EVENING VISIBILTY WINDOWS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC)
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
LAT 20 NOV 23:30 21 NOV 00:30 21 NOV 01:30 21 NOV 02:30 21 NOV 03:30
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
45N 15/11 - 25/11 17/11 - 27/11 19/11 - 29/11 21/11 - 01/12 23/11 - 03/12
35N 11/11 - 29/11 13/11 - 01/12 15/11 - 03/12 17/11 - 05/12 19/11 - 07/12
25N 08/11 - 02/12 10/11 - 03/12 12/11 - 05/12 14/11 - 07/12 16/11 - 09/12
15N 05/11 - 03/12 07/11 - 05/12 09/11 - 07/12 11/11 - 09/12 13/11 - 11/12
05N 23/11 - 05/12 08/11 - 21/11 10/11 - 23/11
28.45 DEG INCLINATION - MORNING VISIBILTY WINDOWS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC)
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
LAT 20 NOV 23:30 21 NOV 00:30 21 NOV 01:30 21 NOV 02:30 21 NOV 03:30
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
15N 25/10 - 20/11
05N 10/11 - 21/11 12/11 - 23/11
05S 08/11 - 20/11 10/11 - 22/11 12/11 - 24/11 14/11 - 26/11 16/11 - 28/11
15S 11/11 - 06/12 13/11 - 08/12 15/11 - 10/12 17/11 - 12/12 19/11 - 14/12
25S 14/11 - 04/12 16/11 - 06/12 18/11 - 08/12 20/11 - 10/12 22/11 - 12/12
35S 18/11 - 02/12 20/11 - 04/12 22/11 - 06/12 24/11 - 08/12
45S 24/11 - 29/11
57 DEG INCLINATION - EVENING VISIBILTY WINDOWS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC)
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
LAT 20 NOV 23:30 21 NOV 00:30 21 NOV 01:30 21 NOV 02:30 21 NOV 03:30
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
60N 22/11 - 21/12 25/11 - 24/12
50N 19/11 - 22/12 22/11 - 25/12 25/11 - 28/12
40N 17/11 - 22/12 20/11 - 25/12 23/11 - 28/12
30N 15/11 - 27/11 18/11 - 30/11 21/11 - 03/12 24/11 - 06/12
20N 14/11 - 24/11 17/11 - 27/11 19/11 - 30/11 22/11 - 03/12
10N 12/11 - 21/11 15/11 - 24/11 17/11 - 27/11 20/11 - 30/11 23/11 - 03/12
00 12/11 - 22/11 15/11 - 25/11 18/11 - 28/11 21/11 - 01/12
10S 09/11 - 20/11 12/11 - 23/11 15/11 - 26/11 18/11 - 29/11
20S 08/11 - 21/11 11/11 - 24/11 13/11 - 27/11
30S 03/11 - 22/11 05/11 - 25/11
40S 22/10 - 22/11
57 DEG INCLINATION - MORNING VISIBILTY WINDOWS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC) LAUNCH (UTC)
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
LAT 20 NOV 23:30 21 NOV 00:30 21 NOV 01:30 21 NOV 02:30 21 NOV 03:30
--- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
60N 30/10 - 22/11
50N 26/10 - 22/11 28/10 - 24/11
40N 22/10 - 21/11 24/10 - 24/11 27/10 - 27/11
30N 11/11 - 20/11 14/11 - 23/11 17/11 - 26/11 20/11 - 29/11
20N 14/11 - 22/11 17/11 - 25/11 20/11 - 28/11 23/11 - 01/12
10N 14/11 - 21/11 17/11 - 24/11 20/11 - 27/11 23/11 - 30/11
00 16/11 - 23/11 19/11 - 26/11 22/11 - 29/11 25/11 - 02/12
10S 18/11 - 26/11 21/11 - 29/11 24/11 - 02/12
20S 20/11 - 29/11 23/11 - 02/12
30S 23/11 - 06/12
4.0 Observation Tips
----------------
The shuttle is easy to spot with the naked eye. When favourably illuminated,
nearly overhead and in a dark sky, it has a visual magnitude between
-1 and -2, about as bright as Jupiter. The shuttle has been observed as early
as 15 minutes after sunset or before sunrise, however that is probably too
difficult for the inexperienced observer.
The uncertainty in the mean motion makes the search for the shuttle a
challenge, but far from impossible. The best search strategy is to produce
several different orbital element sets covering mean motions in the range
between about 15.0 rev/day and 15.9 rev/day and run predictions for each
elset. In this way the predictions will "bracket" the shuttle's actual time of
passage and path across the sky.
This procedure takes advantage of the fact that the orientation of the
shuttle's orbital plane with respect to the Earth can be predicted with much
greater accuracy than the position of the shuttle within its orbit. The idea
is to "stare" at the imaginary ring in the sky which is the shuttle's orbit.
As we wait for the shuttle to appear, the Earth rotates, which makes the orbit
ring move across the sky. The shuttle must occupy each point along the orbit
once per revolution, so eventually it must be seen.
If the shuttle makes a near overhead pass, even the small uncertainty in the
orientation of the plane can result in large errors in its predicted path
across the sky, especially at maximum elevation. Therefore, take care to scan
a wide section of the sky. It would be unfortunate to be looking for a 65
degree high pass in the south only to have the shuttle pass 70 degrees high in
the north.
5.0 Observation Network
-------------------
During the STS 27 and STS 28 DoD missions there was an informal network of
amateur observers who shared their observations. This made it possible for
more people to see the shuttle because we were able to quickly refine our
orbital estimates and pass on the information.
If you observe the shuttle during the first day of the mission, please, if
possible, phone your observation in to me at one of the numbers given below.
That will enable me to update the elements and distribute them to other
observers as quickly as possible. Observations on subsequent days can be sent
by slower means, such as BBS, e-mail and fax.
The best observations are positions related to the stars along with the time
accurate to 1 second or better. For example,
"passed between Castor and Pollux, 1/3 distance from Castor to
Pollux, 08:34:21 UTC 9 AUG 89"
or
"passed 3 degrees below Vega, 09:12:10 UTC 9 AUG 89"
In addition, estimates of visual magnitude and colour would be useful. If the
magnitude is varying regularly, measure the period of variation. If two
objects are seen, then state the separation between them. For example, "the
brighter object lead the fainter by 10 seconds of time", or "the red object
was about 4 degrees behind the other at maximum elevation of 50 degrees" would
be useful.
Make certain to provide your latitude and longitude as accurately as possible.
Observations of the payload(s) would also be of great interest.
If you have information to share, try the following communications channels :
1) Leave a message on the Celestial RCP/M BBS for Ted Molczan.
This is a free, 24 h/day board, 2400 8N1, (513) 427-0674.
This board has available several orbit prediction programs,
one of the more popular of which is SEESAT.
2) Leave a message on the CSS (Canadian Space Society) BBS
for Ted Molczan. This is a free, 24 h/day board, 2400 8N1,
(416) 458-5907.
3) Phone me at (416) 928-3046 (H) or 926-2085 (W)
4) Fax me at (416) 926-2218
5) Send e-mail message via PARITY::BIRO, I will forward
them to Ted,
Please pass this on to other BBS's or interested individuals.
* * * *
|
| 575.9 | STS-33 stutus | SNOC01::MANSFIELD | | Tue Nov 21 1989 02:36 | 7 |
|
What is STS-33 status
Has the mission blasted off as yet.
Simon -downunder
|
| 575.10 | | STAR::HUGHES | You knew the job was dangerous when you took it Fred. | Tue Nov 21 1989 14:44 | 4 |
| Launch is scheduled for around 6:30pm EST Wed 22 (around Thursday
lunchtime in Sydney).
gary
|
| 575.11 | EVA Specialist | HYDRA::BIRO | | Tue Nov 21 1989 17:58 | 11 |
|
I find it interesting that the two Mission Specialist Story Mugrave and
Kartryn Thornton are EVA specialist. In fact Story I believe did the
first EVA and has the most number of hours in EVA.
This could make sense if they are going to do an EVA.
another clue for the 57 deg mission
jb
|
| 575.12 | STS-33 Status - November 21 | RENOIR::KLAES | N = R*fgfpneflfifaL | Tue Nov 21 1989 20:03 | 67 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: NASA Headline News for 11/21/89 (Forwarded)
Date: 21 Nov 89 19:31:20 GMT
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is NASA Headline News for Tuesday, November 21:
Workers at Kennedy Space Center continue to prepare the orbiter
Discovery for its scheduled launch tomorrow. The DoD classified
mission is targeted for lift off during a four hour period that begins
at 6:30 P.M., Eastern time. Technicians loaded liquid oxygen and
liquid nitrogen into the orbiter's fuel cells yesterday and last
night. Today, the crew is being briefed on the DoD payload and the
weather. In addition, workers are closing out the Solid Rocket
Booster aft skirts. The mission management team, headed by astronaut
Brewster Shaw, says the schedule for a Wednesday evening launch is
tight....but makeable.
NASA Select TV will begin coverage of the launch at 5:30 P.M.
since the mission is classified, no other NASA Select TV coverage will
occur until shortly before landing. Generalized mission status
reports will be issued daily.
Aerospace Daily reports that "NASA's $12.4 billion budget for
fiscal 1990 would be cut by $100 to $150 million, instead of $550
million under a compromise reconciliation bill" being considered by
the House and Senate today. The publication says the reconciliation
bill is being given top priority and has the okay of the White House.
Checkout of the Cosmic Background Explorer satellite launched last
saturday continues at Goddard Space Flight Center. COBE is is in a
circular, near polar orbit. The COBE antennas and solar arrays have
been satisfactorily deployed as has the instrument shield.
The third meeting of the U.S./USSR Joint Working Group on Solar
System Exploration concluded this past weekend in Moscow. At the
three-day meeting specialists from both sides said Mars continues to
be a prime topic of discussion. The delegations have also agreed to
coordinate scientific programs and studies and participate in each
other's missions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA
Select TV. All times are Eastern.
Wednesday, November 22:
5:30 P.M. Coverage begins of the launch of STS-33 during a
four hour window that begins at 6:30 P.M. NASA
Select TV will provide launch and landing only
video of the mission.
This viewing reminder....NASA Update will not be transmitted
Thursday Thanksgiving day. The next NASA Update will be on November 30.
All events and times are subject to change without notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12 noon,
Eastern time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A service of the Internal Communications Branch (LPC), NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
|
| 575.13 | STS-33 Trivia
| SHAOLN::DENSMORE | But I'm feeling muuuch better now! | Wed Nov 22 1989 12:10 | 12 |
| Here's some STS-33 trivia for you to save for some 199x version of Trivial
Pursuit :-)
1st Black-American mission commander
1st woman on a secret mission
Also, the pilot (Blaha) will be making his second flight this year. I am
pretty sure that this is the first time anyone has flown two shuttle missions
in a one year span. It may also be a first for all manned programs. I'll
see if I can verify it.
Mike
|
| 575.14 | STS-33 Update - November 22 | RENOIR::KLAES | N = R*fgfpneflfifaL | Wed Nov 22 1989 19:17 | 52 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: NASA Headline News for 11/22/89 (Forwarded)
Date: 22 Nov 89 19:07:19 GMT
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 22, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is NASA Headline News for Wednesday, November 22:
Everything is on schedule for launch of the Space Shuttle orbiter
Discovery. Loading of the external tank began earlier today and the
crew was on schedule for boarding the spacecraft. The Department of
Defense mission is scheduled to be launched today sometime during a
four hour period that begins at 6:30 P.M., Eastern time. NASA Select
television will begin launch coverage at 5:30 P.M.
Weather conditions remain favorable for the launch window. There
is only a 20 percent chance of violating weather criteria. This is
only the third time a shuttle has been launched after dark.
There will be no TV coverage or mission status reports during the
flight. Landing at Edwards Air Force Base will be covered by NASA
Select TV. Announcement of the exact landing time will come 24 hours
before conclusion of the mission.
Johnson Space Center has released the menu for Thanksgiving Day
dinner aboard the Discovery...diced turkey and gravy, broccoli au gratin,
potato patties, cranberry sauce and pumpkin muffins. Apparently there's
no clean way to eat pie in zero-g...thus the muffins.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA
Select TV. All times are Eastern.
There will be no in-flight television coverage of the STS-33 space
shuttle mission. The date and time of NASA Select landing television
of the mission cannot be determined at this time.
Thursday, November 30:
11:30 A.M. NASA Update will be transmitted.
All events and times are subject to change without notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12 noon,
Eastern time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A service of the Internal Communications Branch (LPC), NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
|
| 575.15 | It's been done before! | KAOA04::KLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Wed Nov 22 1989 20:08 | 28 |
| Re: .13
>Also, the pilot (Blaha) will be making his second flight this year. I am
>pretty sure that this is the first time anyone has flown two shuttle missions
>in a one year span. It may also be a first for all manned programs. I'll
>see if I can verify it.
The first person to fly two mission in the same year was Bob Crippen as shown
below.
STS 41C - 6-13 April 1984 Challenger
- Commander: Robert Crippen
- Pilot: Dick Scobee
- MS1: Terry Hart
- MS2: James Van Hoften
- MS3: George Nelson
STS 41G - 5-13 October 1984 Challenger
- Commander: Robert Crippen
- Pilot: Jon McBride
- MS1: Kathryn Sullivan
- MS2: Sally Ride
- MS3: David Leestma
- PS1: Paul Scully-Power
- PS2: Marc Garneau
|
| 575.16 | | KAOA04::KLEIN | Nulli Secundus | Mon Nov 27 1989 14:11 | 7 |
|
Just to keep everyone up to date, the shuttle was launched on Wed
Nov 22 around 7:30 EDT. There has been a news blackout on the
Discovery mission. The landing was announced for Nov 26, however,
high winds at Edwards forced a wayoff until today. They are scheduled
to land around 5:52 EDT. No word has been leaked on the success
of the spysat deployment.
|
| 575.17 | | DECWIN::FISHER | Burns Fisher 381-1466, ZKO3-4/W23 | Mon Nov 27 1989 17:16 | 9 |
| The time for landing today was (I think) announced to be several hours earlier
than the scheduled landing for yesterday. Does this imply a landing on the
ascending rather than the descending node of the orbit? If so, this would imply
a high inclination orbit (i.e. such that the orbit passed North of Edwards).
Or is it just an orbit or 2 difference that can be made up for by the
orbitor's "cross-country" capability? I don't have the times to check...I
just heard them on the radio and thought they were quite far apart.
Burns
|
| 575.18 | 5:52 our time? | BEATLE::STRANGE | Keep on rockin' in the free world | Mon Nov 27 1989 17:31 | 8 |
| re: .16
> high winds at Edwards forced a wayoff until today. They are scheduled
> to land around 5:52 EDT.
Do you mean EST rather than EDT?
Steve
|
| 575.19 | | SHAOLN::DENSMORE | But I'm feeling muuuch better now! | Tue Nov 28 1989 10:38 | 13 |
| Discovery set down at sunset (7:30pm EST) yesterday.
re .15 We are both wrong. The first American (I did not check Soviet
missions) to fly twice in a one year span (not a calendar year!)
was Thomas Stafford. He flew Gemini 6 (Dec 1965) and Gemini 9
(Jun 1966). Bob Crippen did it twice. He flew three missions
in 16 months: STS-7 (Jun 1983), 41-C (Apr 1984) and 41-G (Oct
1984).
Sorry if I confused the question.
Mike
|
| 575.20 | STS-33 Update - November 28 | RENOIR::KLAES | N = R*fgfpneflfifaL | Tue Nov 28 1989 20:20 | 72 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: NASA Headline News for 11/28/89 (Forwarded)
Date: 28 Nov 89 20:06:11 GMT
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, November 28, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is NASA Headline News for Tuesday, November 28:
The Space Shuttle orbiter Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force
Base, California, yesterday, at 7:30 P.M., Eastern time. Once again
ground controllers delayed the landing...but this time by only one
orbit...as strong crosswinds scrubbed a lakebed landing. Mission
Commander Frederick Gregory glided the orbiter to a smooth landing on
the air base's concrete runway just as the Sun was setting over the
Mojave Desert. Gregory, speaking for the five member crew, said they
had a spectacular time during the flight. Only two minor problems
were reported...a malfunctioning toilet, that the crew fixed, and
Gregory came up with a foot infection.
Meanwhile, at Kennedy Space Center...the orbiter Columbia has
arrived at launch pad 39A after an early morning rollout. The
six-hour trip on the massive crawler-transporter was completed about
8:30 A.M., Eastern time. The two-day Countdown Demonstration Test for
the STS-32 mission is scheduled to begin Thursday. On Friday, the
crew of the Columbia will participate in the dress rehearsal. The
final six hours of the event will be carried on NASA Select TV
beginning at 6:00 A.M., Eastern time. The test will be followed by the
Flight Readiness Review next Monday and Tuesday when a launch date
will be set. The STS-32 mission is scheduled to deploy a Navy
communications satellite and retrieve the Long Duration Exposure
Facility (LDEF) that has been in Earth orbit since 1984.
NORAD estimates that the Solar Max satellite will enter the
atmosphere early on Saturday, December 2. It appears that one of the
two solar panels may not have fully separated from the main body of
the spacecraft last Friday. Radar tracking indicates that one panel
has already re-entered. Some debris could possibly survive the fiery
re-entry. That will occur somewhere between 28 degrees north and 28
degrees south of the equator...80 percent of which is water.
Tass news agency says Soviet space authorities are considering
allowing Mir space station cosmonauts to conduct a space walk to free
a jammed solar array on its Kvant-2 module that was launched November
26. The module, scheduled to be attached to the Mir space station
carries food, water, fuel, an eva airlock and a manned maneuvering
unit. Aerospace Daily says the Kvant will dock with the Mir station
on Saturday.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA
Select television. All times are Eastern.
Thursday, November 30:
11:30 A.M. NASA Update will be transmitted.
Friday, December 1:
6:00 A.M. Coverage begins of concluding 6-hours of the
STS-32 Countdown Demonstration Test at KSC.
All events and times are subject to change without notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday at 12 noon,
Eastern time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A service of the Internal Communications Branch (LPC), NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
|
| 575.21 | STS-33 Update - November 29 | RENOIR::KLAES | N = R*fgfpneflfifaL | Wed Nov 29 1989 20:38 | 41 |
| Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: NASA Headline News for 11/29/89 (Forwarded)
Date: 29 Nov 89 18:46:01 GMT
Reply-To: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1989 Audio: 202/755-1788
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is NASA Headline News for Wednesday, November 29:
Officials say the Space Shuttle Discovery came through its
five-day military mission in excellent condition. Tip Talone,
Discovery's processing manager, says initial inspections show fewer
than 10 thermal tiles will have to be replaced. He also said the
orbiter's brakes are in good condition. Discovery's next mission is
to carry the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit late next March...and
Talone said, "the bottom line is, we think we've got a really good
start...to get the Hubble out next March."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the broadcast schedule for public affairs events on NASA
Select television. All times are Eastern.
Thursday, Nov. 30:
11:30 A.M. NASA Update will be transmitted.
Friday, Dec. 1:
6:00 A.M. Coverage begins of the concluding 6-hours
of the STS-32 countdown demonstration test.
All events and times are subject to change without notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These reports are filed daily, Monday through Friday, at 12 noon,
Eastern time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A service of the Internal Communications Branch (LPC), NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
|