STS-102 Pre-Launch Briefing

From: Jeff (jayteepee@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Wed Feb 28 2001 - 18:18:03 PST


A possible heads-up for Southern Sky Watchers:

According to today's press briefing, next week's shuttle launch will be 
different.  STS-102 will be a "direct insertion" launch of 122nm as opposed 
to the standard 175x85nm insertion.  A point was made of the external tank 
re-entry east of New Zealand instead of the Indian Ocean.

With a 1145UT launch on March 8th, Australia and New Zealand will be in 
darkness and could possibly get a good show.


Also, during the undocking of STS-98 and the fly-around video, I noticed a 
brilliant flare from Destiny and the radiators.  The FD 10 link has a brief 
glimpse of the "Destiny Flare".  It comes about 1:15 into the 3:15 playback.
NASA's web site has the Flight Day Highlights in Windows Media Player and 
Real Player format.  (go to the "Index" for much more...)

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/video/shuttle/sts-98/html/fd10.html

Could this be the source of the bluish tints being reported in the recent 
ISS sightings?

Jeff Poplin
36.2943ºN 81.3212ºW
King, NC USA

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