Shuttle Launch Cleared to go in 18 mins

[LukeSkywatcher]

Did anyone else see a big piece of foam break away and hit the underside of the shuttle. I checked again on youtube and that`s what it looks like, at 4mins and 44sec.

I hope everything will be ok.

Yeah i saw a couple of bits fall away and instantly though "0MG" . I dont think they impacted the shuttle underbelly

though.

[brantuk]

Yeah - thanks Kev - sorry I must concentrate more lol

[nemesis]

Dont know if you'll be able to get on this site but they discuss every launch

LIVE: STS-133 - LAUNCH AND FLIGHT DAY 1 UPDATES - Feb 24

[brantuk]

Well thanks for sharing that everybody - really cool watching it and commenting here. But for now I've gotta get to bed soon. So feel free to carry on without me and cya'all tomorrow

[Photosbykev]

Thanks Kev - for some reason I thought it was Fri today lol - post ammended

you weren't wrong BranUK, there is a pass Friday evening but much lower in the sky

Appears 18h43m57s 3.7mag az:226.1° SW horizon

Culmination 18h47m39s -0.4mag az:155.9° SSE h:19.5°

distance: 630.3km height above Earth: 236.6km elevation of sun: -10°

Disappears 18h48m36s -0.3mag az:120.2° ESE h:15.0°

[ian h]

If it is clear on sat evening. How is the best way to view it ?

Also I will be at work. Will it be visible with naked eye or some 10x50 binos ?

[Photosbykev]

If it is clear on sat evening. How is the best way to view it ?

Also I will be at work. Will it be visible with naked eye or some 10x50 binos ?

The STS will have a -0.4mag so should easily be visible with the naked eye and the ISS @ -2.6mag very bright. You should be able to track it with 10x50 binos

[ian h]

Thanks for the reply. Where abouts in the sky should I look for it ?

Sorry for the newbie questions

[Photosbykev]

generally due south with the track going west to east and arcing from the horizon upto around 34 degrees..

the actual values will vary on location so register on http://www.heavens-above.com , enter your location and it will give all the visible passes for the ISS

[LukeSkywatcher]

The STS will have a -0.4mag so should easily be visible with the naked eye and the ISS @ -2.6mag very bright. You should be able to track it with 10x50 binos

Ive seen the ISS with 10X50 bins and saw definite shape (2 solar panels and main body).

[John]

They will check the underbelly and wing tiles very carefully for damage - it's a major part of the drill now and I believe they have repair capability for some types of damage.

Some IT guy must have been under pressure to get that down range computer working !

Frantically switching it off and on again

[Photosbykev]

They will check the underbelly and wing tiles very carefully for damage - it's a major part of the drill now and I believe they have repair capability for some types of damage.

Frantically switching it off and on again

"Hello this is the NASA IT help line. You are trying to launch what? with our computers !"

heard off line

"Hey Fred we've got a real nutter on the helpline"

[smudgeball]

Frantically switching it off and on again

That's how all IT problems are solved

[Photosbykev]

an update on the expected viewing times posted above, the latest TLE elements on Heavens-Above and Calsky aren't aligned at the moment but the saturday pass now appears to be much lower on the horizon that I originally posted.

Best advice, keep checking the websites for latest info right up to the expected pass times.

[leenewtoastro]

add the iss and sts133 to your favs and watch the sts chasing real time

n2yo.com

.

[Horus]

Can't stop watching watching NASA TV !! its showing live coverage 24/7