Re: shuttle re-entry times
DJLaszlo@aol.com
Fri, 17 Nov 1995 19:56:47 -0500
Get ready for a convoluted rationale, which I will detail to facilitate
analysis:
The last timeline I managed to get before our government friends started
their budget battle was based on launch on November 17. Return was scheduled
for midday in the US. The deorbit burn was scheduled for 11:25 am CST (GMT
minus 6 hours) and touchdown at 12:25 pm. Since launch occured a day late,
but about 25 minutes earlier in the day...
Assuming they stick to the timeline, with a delay of 23 hours 35 minutes, the
deorbit burn should occur about 1100 am CST, and landing about 1200 CST.
When Columbia landed (STS-73), it was visible from Colorado about 20 minutes
before touchdown, as it tracked along the border with New Mexico. The stated
velocity at that point was Mach 20.
A key to successful viewing is precise determination of the deorbit burn or
the touchdown time.
I'd encourage potential viewers in the US to 1) confirm the time of the
deorbit burn, 2) start looking at least 35 min before touchdown if on the
West Coast, 20-25 min for the Central US, 20 min or less east of Colorado.
By all means check NASA TV for the precise time and track (I'm still looking
for a Website with a current timeline, at least). Whether or not you can
spot the Shuttle, remember to linger outside at least 5-10 minutes past the
anticipated time, to listen for the sonic boom. A single boom was audible in
Colorado on last February's Discovery reentry.
Regards, Dan Laszlo