STS-117 (13A) Mission- Part II

[turbopause]

Looks like a lovely evening over there in Florida. As I sit here in the UK drinking my bottle of Corona I can't help wishing I was over there chilled out in a deck-chair watching the stack<br /><br />God speed Atlantis!

 

[MeteorWayne]

France ia a go, so we have the TAL site we need.<br /><br />About half an hour to go. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[arkady]

Best of luck to Atlantis and her crew from this neck of the woods. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "<font color="#0000ff"><em>The choice is the Universe, or nothing</em> ... </font>" - H.G Wells </div>

 

[rybanis]

About 32 minutes until launch. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[Testing]

In aid of not starting a pissing contest I apologize for offending you. It was inteded to be an ice breaker. I have hardware aboard this vehicle. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[emerrill]

Sweet (Both to the weather, and I just realized my cable co carries HDNet <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> ) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

OK <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[ckikilwai]

Does anybody know if I could see the launch from my home in Belgium, in the night sky?

 

[ozspace]

We all wish the very best for Atlantis and your hardware.

 

[bobblebob]

What is this issue they are currently discussing? Although i understand its no constraint to launch

 

[rybanis]

Yeah, not a vehicle problem, though they are having a "discussion" right now.<br /><br />Hey, is SG on the console tonight? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

The powered flight lasts less than 10 minutes, so no. I would suspect the<br />orbit adjustment firings would be hard to see. <br />I have no advice to offer as far as seeing the STS over your area, sorry.<br />Even here, until a catchup orbit is acheived it's not easy to predict.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[Testing]

Go to www.nasa.gov and type in "realtime" in the search window. It will ask your location and tell you if and when you can sight it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[ozspace]

"Hey, is SG on the console tonight?"<br /><br />I believe he is, he has only not worked one or two since the start of the program. He started way back with Apollo 14...<br />

 

[turbopause]

ckikilwai - I'm in the UK and Heavens Above (www.heavens-above.com) says that I won't be able to see the Orbiter or ET for this launch. I would imagine that the same is true for Belgium.<br /><br />I highly recommend the Heavens Above site BTW... it's a great resource if you like to look up at the sky!

 

[MeteorWayne]

On NASA TV you can hear the hissing as the snake awakens <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[christine16]

what is this gas?

 

[MeteorWayne]

The only problem is that the shuttle doesn't show up during the first orbit, until it's in a stable one.<br />The ISS is listed, but the STS isn't nearby for a day or so. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[turbopause]

From the Heavens Above login page:<br /><br />Space Shuttle Mission STS-117 <br />Atlantis is scheduled to launch at 23:38 UTC to the ISS. We will be posting<br />predictions once Atlantis is in orbit. Unfortunately, this time there will be no<br />opportunity to see the Shuttle and the external tank from Europe just after launch.<br />Atlantis will enter shadow just as it rises above the horizon as seen from British Isles.<br /><br />I guess it's hard to calculate two line element sets for something accelerating that fast ;-)

 

[Testing]

If you are looking at the bottom end it is elements of atmosphere condensing due to the cryogenic fuel anf oxidizer dropped to the SSME's <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[moonmadness]

looks good to go <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do play one on the TV in my mind.</p> </div>

 

[moonmadness]

3:30 till end of hold <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do play one on the TV in my mind.</p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

It's only accelerating for the first 8 minutes, then takes a break, but during the first two orbits does accelerate again. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[moonmadness]

1:30 till end of hold <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do play one on the TV in my mind.</p> </div>

 

[summoner]

Ok, boys and girls here we go. Good luck to Atlantis and crew. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:271px;background-color:#FFF;border:1pxsolid#999"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="height:35px"><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/htmlSticker1/language/www/US/MT/Three_Forks.gif" alt="" height="35" width="271" style="border:0px" /></div>