Daytime Observation of Space Shuttle
Launch (STS-102) to the
International Space Station (ISS)
Launched: March 8, 2001, 07:42 AST (7:42 a.m.)
Notes on Observtion and Diagrams
 
The Space Shuttle, Discovery (STS-102) was observed this morning from Horton Bluff as it hurtled toward the orbit of the International Space Station. On 3 occaasions I have observed other shuttle launches but they had taken place during night sky conditions. On this occasion, as the Sun had already risen, I was uncertain as to whether I would be able to see any aspect of the launch, however, I was standing in my yard at 7:45 a.m. AST, under a clear morning sky, prepared to see whatever conditions permitted. Whatever sighting I would make would materialize approzimately 10 minutes after the scheduled launch from Cape Kennedy at 06:42 EST (07:42 AST).
 
From examination of the track for the most recent passes of the ISS, I had a good feeling for the approximate track the shuttle would take. The track would likely arch between 20 and 30 degrees above the SE, heading east, moving across just above the Sun.
 
If the launch was on time, I was expecting it to move through my sky about 7:52 a.m. AST. Much to my joy, I spotted a thin, bright white, exhaust trail moving up into the SE about 7:52:45; it looked similar to a jet trail except short, single and moving more quickly (track much as illustrated in the sketch above, shuttle is circled). Immediately I picked it up in my binoculars (10X50). In the magnified view, it was scooting right along, looking very much like a comet with a 1 to 2 degree tail. There was no sign of the shuttle's actual shape, only the bright, white engine exhaust plume, feathered against the blue sky. The plume was continuously in sight as it moved along, back lighted by the Sun. I was able to follow it until 7:53:40 when trees and the bright glow of the Sun above the east prevented further observation. To say the least, I was quite elated about having observed what I did. A sketch of the observation was created using my electronic painting-drawing tools. Click here or on the circle in the sketch above for the illustration of the 10X50 binocular view.
 
Click here or the thumbnail on the right for a great view of the sunrise launch of STS-102 from Cape Kennedy, 10 minutes before it entered the Nova Scotia sky. The photo was sent by e-mail to my neighbour; her parents are in the foreground of the picture. She kindly e-mailed me a copy.
 
 
 

 

Launch of space shuttle, Discovery (STS-102) 06:42 EST, about 10 minutes later it would be visible above the southern horizon in Nova Scotia as it crossed our sky, on its space station bound track, parallel to the northeastern North American coastline.
 
 
Visible passes of the Shuttle and ISS were observed in the morning sky over the next few days . For specific Space station and satellite pass schedules and sky charts go to http://www.heavens-above.com/main.asp , enter your location and get the ISS pass schedule.
 
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Other links:
Other shuttle launch observation attempts (from Nova Scotia.)
 
Shuttle Status sites
1) http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/index.html
2) http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
3) http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/stsstat/current.htm
 
Space Station Status sites
1) http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/index.html
2) http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/assembly/elements/uslab/
 
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