Re:Atlantis re-enter

From: Rick Baldridge (Rick.Baldridge@wj.com)
Date: Fri Sep 08 2000 - 09:45:07 PDT

  • Next message: Paul Gabriel: "Re:Atlantis re-enter"

    Alexander Marschand wrote:
    
    Where will the re-entry of the Atlantis will be visible? I read that it will be
    a cool night landing again. Maybe the re-entering will be very good visible,
    because it's coming from west to east and it will maybe very good visible at the
    dusk of west America or maybe in New Zealand,
    <snip>
    
    _______________________
    
    There is a lot of information at The Unofficial Space Shuttle Launch Guide by
    Steven Pietrobon at:
    http://home.tampabay.rr.com/k4lk/shuttxt.htm
    
    The NASA/Shuttle main page at:
    http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/
    will usually post landing tracks a few days before landing. 
    
    But to answer your question more directly -- 
    The Shuttle does not begin developing its ionization (plasma) wake until it is
    about 7500km (4660 statute miles) from landing when it is below about 360,000
    feet altitude.  I've seen four Shuttle reentries from California when the
    Shuttle has been launched into a 39-degree inclination orbit, and the wake trail
    is easily visible with the Shuttle 3900km from landing 2420 statute miles).  But
    according to reports from friends in Hawaii (where the Shuttle reentry on such
    missions should also be visible) the trail is not developed that far out, or
    faintly at best.  Anyone else have more info on this subject?
    
    
    RICK BALDRIDGE
    37.27183N 121.97703W (SA-off!)
    Campbell, CA
    
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