I have just realised that in the link quoted by Kevin concerning jettisoning the ammonia tank, http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts118/070708preview/ it is stated that the 21 July maneuver is a trial to test the Russian computers. It will be followed by a longer boost on 23 July following the spacewalk in order to ensure adequate separation between the ISS and the discarded tank and to prepare for the next Progress and for STS-118. The spacewalk is due to commence at 1000 UTC on 23 July (if I have my time conversion correct!) and I assume will probably last around 5 or 6 hours so that will give some indication of the timeframe of the "launch" of the tank. We have subsequent passes in the evenings our times but some are probably too early for good visibility and some brief before shadow entry , they are more favourable a few days later if the tank is still in orbit then. Any estimates as to decay timeframe of the tank? Robert Wainuiomata New Zealand 174.948E 41.261S (Skies cleared at last after about two or more weeks of cloud- morning mists but evening obs possible at last!) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Holdsworth" <robbonz1@xtra.co.nz> To: "Seesat List" <SeeSat-L@satobs.org> Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 8:41 AM Subject: ISS boost on 21 July > http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/orbit/ISS/SVPOST.html > > Robert > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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