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Alan Erskine
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:57 am
Guest
Quite a spectacular view and it was the first night-time launch I've ever
seen (couldn't believe how the pad area was lit up by the SRB's!). I'd like
to see another one and hope there will be at least another night-time
launch.
Jorge R. Frank
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:58 am
Guest
Alan Erskine wrote:
Quote:
Quite a spectacular view and it was the first night-time launch I've ever
seen (couldn't believe how the pad area was lit up by the SRB's!). I'd like
to see another one and hope there will be at least another night-time
launch.

The shuttle launch window to ISS moves earlier about 24 minutes per day,
so it cycles through a full 24 hours about every 60 days or so. Day vs.
night launch is simply a matter of when NASA can get the vehicle ready
within that cycle.
Flyguy
Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:04 am
Guest
Jorge R. Frank wrote:
Quote:
Alan Erskine wrote:

Quite a spectacular view and it was the first night-time launch I've ever
seen (couldn't believe how the pad area was lit up by the SRB's!).
I'd like
to see another one and hope there will be at least another night-time
launch.


The shuttle launch window to ISS moves earlier about 24 minutes per day,
so it cycles through a full 24 hours about every 60 days or so. Day vs.
night launch is simply a matter of when NASA can get the vehicle ready
within that cycle.

I saw the last few seconds of the launch from upstate NY! At the
predicted time of main engine cut-off, a flare of yellow-orange light
apppeared low in the southeast for about ten seconds. It flickered a few
times, then faded out. It was nothing like being at the Cape to see the
launch but pretty neat none the less.
 
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