Op 28-5-2020 om 11:56 schreef Richard Cole: > Marco, > > As a guess, and I haven't run the numbers, there is a window of ISS position > around the orbit (with respect to the Cape, at the launch time) that can be > accessed within the period after launch allowed for in the mission timeline, > which seems to be around 20hrs. The ISS is within that window on the 27th, 30th > and 31st, but not the 28th or 29th. The instantaneous launch window is obviously > set by the ISS orbital plane and changes by a fixed period for each day. I think Richard is on the right track Upon further analysis: The choosen launch dates, assuming a similar 19-hour time-window between launch and docking, all result in docking while on the nightside of earth. While the two dates inbetween result in docking on the dayside of the earth. So illumination concerns seem to guide the choice here. Daytime might be avoided so as not to be blinded by the sun, perhaps. - Marco PS: my question was sparked because it popped up in a Zoom launchparty with a bunch of Dutch science writers and space people which I participated in yesterday. Nobody had a clear answer right away, but I think we have an answer now! Thanks to the hive mind! ----- Dr Marco Langbroek - SatTrackCam Leiden, the Netherlands. e-mail: sattrackcam_at_langbroek.org Station (b)log: http://sattrackcam.blogspot.com Twitter: _at_Marco_Langbroek ----- _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-lReceived on Thu May 28 2020 - 05:33:36 UTC
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