RE: STRANGE OBSERVATION OF STS-78 !! SID (fwd)
Willie Koorts (wpk@saao.ac.za)
Sat, 29 Jun 1996 09:28:40 +0200 (GMT+0200)
Hi Folks
Attatched is some answers from NASA for your information.
I was indeed very happy to have had a pass at the right time. I just
looked at the week's shuttle predictions and it happened on the closest
pass for the whole visability stint - Range = 285 km. If I can believe
my rough calculations this tranlates to a physical length of 10km in the
sky (taken a 2 degree ground length).
Hope there is more.
Willie Koorts
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 00:02:38 -0500
From: TMCDONAL@GP808.jsc.nasa.gov
To: Willie Koorts <wpk@saao.ac.za>
Subject: RE: STRANGE OBSERVATION OF STS-78 !! SID
Hi Willie,
According to the logs in Mission Control, that was indeed a water dump. The
shuttle is operating normally. I guess the light reflected off it in an
unusual way, causing the vapor to shine so brilliantly. I can't explain the
unusual "j" shape; perhaps the orbiter was using an RCS thruster to change
attitude and the vented water caught a "breeze."
Here are the facts, according to my contact in Flight Design and Dynamics:
A water dump took place from UTC 180/15:55 through 180/17:12. This is from
5:55 pm to 7:12 pm
South Africa time. Your sighting was at about 6:45 pm.
Best wishes,
Terry McDonald
P.S. Sorry to take all day answering your question. I had to wait until my
contact was at work in Mission Control, and his shift just started an hour
ago. I hope you haven't had too many UFO calls! tm