Shuttle Watch Maybe?

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:28 pm

It looks likely that we will spot the Shuttle Endeavour and the external tank fly over just 18-20 minutes after liftoff.

Scheduled Endeavour Launch time is
Sat. July 11, 7:39 p.m. EDT:

Anyone want to convert that to GMT?

If the weather looks ok would any of ye be up for a 'Shuttle Watch?'
It would be very cool to try and catch the Iss toolbag / Iss / Progress / Shuttle & external tank!

All we need is a place thats high up with good clear horizons...
I wonder where that would be!?

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:34 pm

as far as I know that's 00.39 sunday morning local time here.
The idea of an observing group for this was somehting that I was hoping to have if the weather is good, so lets go for it if so.
Boher or Burren ?

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:21 am

I'd nearly lean towards Boher simply coz it's near.
We can walk a bit down from the site to get away from the trees / shrubs
if we found that an issue as we did when we went up before on a Mercury watch.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:09 am

The launch has been delayed untill Sunday night / monday morning
Eg 00.12 hrs. Gmt athough as we all know
The launch schedule changes at a moments notice.
The weather is hit and miss.
Im definatly going to try an see this.
It all depends on the weather of course
And I still cant decide wherebest to try and
View it but I don't want to travel far.
With the shuttle programe ending soon
It would be nice to see.
Anyone else up for this?
You'd want to have no work monday!

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:55 pm

Well,
live coverage is on NASA tv right now...
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/

I'm just going to hang around at home to watch it.

12 midnight ISS flyby,
the 30 ro so min later Shuttle & External tank...

Hope the weather holds!!!!!

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:17 am

Aw Hell.
Clear here.
I saw the ISS just pass with progress.
Came back in to see the launch..
NO GO.
Scrubbed! Thunderstorms to the west of KSC - 24-hour turnaround. New launch time at 6:51pm EST (23:51 Irish time).
Boo..
Oh well...
lets look at heavens above for the passes for tomorrow and see what we got...

Dave Lillis · Post by **Dave Lillis** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:33 pm

yea, a bummer for sure, lets hope it clears again tonight !
Like yourself, ISS + progress was class, the ISS had a tiny nice shape in binoculars.

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:22 am

Scrubbed AGAIN due to bad weather
until Wed at 10:58PM (BST)

Frank Ryan · Post by **Frank Ryan** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:57 am

WOW!
That was coooo!

A short vid of the launch and then the shuttle and external
tank blazing over southern Ireland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_YKM3si7Xs