More objects in the sky for evening cyclists tonight: ISS and resupply craft

[PotomacCyclist]

@cyclingfool 67769 wrote:

I managed to miss it. I love looking for stuff like this, but was heading out to dinner with the fam, and missed the time window. I like the website you linked to, though. I’ll need to keep tabs on it for other good viewing opportunities. Looks like pre-dawn AM hours on Sun, Nov 10 is the next best viewing opportunity. Might have to wake up early to go watch it.

As I noted in the post above, there will also be rocket launches from the Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia on a semi-regular schedule. Those rockets are easily visible from the DC area, even during the day. The next one is scheduled for Nov. 19, but that could be delayed by bad weather on the day of the launch.

This is the video I filmed of the Sept. 6 rocket launch from Wallops. That was an unmanned lunar mission. I used a regular digital camera, and my location was right here in Arlington.

[video=vimeo;73990411]https://vimeo.com/73990411[/video]

[PotomacCyclist]

SpotTheStation

Time: Fri Oct 24 7:40 PM, Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 58 degrees, Appears: NW, Disappears: ENE

***
In addition, the next rocket launch from Wallops is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27, depending on the weather.

Next Wallops Launches:
Mission: ISS Cargo Resupply
Launch Vehicle: Antares
Target Date: Oct. 27
Launch Time: 6:45 p.m. EDT

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home/index.html#.VEpTlvmjOSp

[PotomacCyclist]

The International Space Station was very noticeable last night, if you knew enough to look up at that moment. It was visible as it passed about half of the visible arc of the sky here.

But wait, there’s more! On Monday, a double whammy for skywatchers.

There is currently a 98% chance that weather conditions will be favorable for the Cygnus rocket launch from Wallops on Monday, at 6:45 pm. Then just minutes later, the ISS will be visible again in the DC area, this time reaching 87 degrees above the horizon. It could be visible for 6 minutes total.

The sky is expected to be clear on Monday, with a 0% chance of rain and temperatures in the low 60s at that hour. Perfect viewing weather.

https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/926695430693892/?type=1&theater

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[Starduster]

Thank you!

From Arlington, viewing toward the SE?

[TwoWheelsDC]

@PotomacCyclist 97876 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6898[/ATTACH]

Send in the GLG-20s!!

[PotomacCyclist]

@Starduster 97878 wrote:

Thank you!

From Arlington, viewing toward the SE?

Yes, the rocket launch will appear in the SE sky.

Then turn around and look to the NW for the ISS. The Space Station will travel from NW to SE, appearing to travel almost directly overhead.

[PotomacCyclist]

http://www.nasa.gov/content/how-to-view-the-antares-launch-oct-27/#.VE5Fj_mjOSo

Everything is still on track for a 6:45 pm launch tonight. Look to the SE.

Then the Int’l Space Station will become visible at 6:49 pm, from the NW to the SE.

[PotomacCyclist]

The rocket won’t be visible immediately after launch. According to the NASA website, it may be 1 or 2 minutes after launch when it becomes visible in the DC area. The rocket should remain visible for a minute or two, which means that the rocket and the ISS might be visible at the same time, but in opposite directions in the sky.

[PotomacCyclist]

T-minus 90 minutes and counting.

[Starduster]

Got myself what I *thought* was a good vantage point. Saw ISS easily and tracked it until it vanished from illumination, down low on the horizon. Didn’t see the launch, darn. Perhaps behind the trees… Keep trying, keep missing.

At this point, the only place I can guarantee seeing a launch is by going to Chincoteague… (There’s a bonus to that- my reference standard for B&Bs- http://www.channelbassinn.com/)

[creadinger]

Wait…what? ISIS has spaceships now?? Damn, they’re more advanced than I thought. That’s scary.

:p

PS – the rocket launch was scrubbed for tonight. It was initially delayed because of a boat in the exclusion zone, so they held the countdown for 10 minutes, then they scrubbed it soon after.

[PotomacCyclist]

I’m wondering why NASA doesn’t get the Coast Guard to warn all ships to stay out of the area ahead of the launch. Maybe it was a small boat that moved in. Too bad they couldn’t just tow it out of the way.

Official announcement from the Wallops blog:

“The launch of Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft has been scrubbed. The range remained red because of a boat down range in the trajectory Antares would have flown had it lifted off.

Launch has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6:22:38 p.m. EDT. The launch window is about 10 minutes long.”

****
I saw the ISS again. (I saw it on Friday evening too.) Very clear view and a long window of visibility. Too bad that boat didn’t stay out of the way. We might have been able to see the Antares rocket and the Space Station simultaneously.

[peterw_diy]

Thanks, PotomacCyclist, for the heads up. I especially appreciate the mention of the ISS flyover; seeing that was a nice consolation.

[PotomacCyclist]

The rocket lifted off as scheduled at 6:22 pm. Unfortunately, it exploded 6 seconds after launch.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Unmanned-Rocket-Explodes-at-Wallops-Island-280708322.html

***
At least some people are wondering if yesterday’s postponement might have had something to do with today’s catastrophic failure. The sailboat entered into the restricted zone yesterday and ignored attempts at communication from authorities. Aircraft were sent to warn the sailboat and get their attention, by moving the wings up and down, but the sailboat occupant(s) continued to ignore authorities. Thus, the launch was called off last night.

http://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/whats-deal-boat-scuttling-last-nights-antares-rocket-launch-180953176/?no-ist

All of the personnel had to start the preparations over again tonight. That shouldn’t have been an issue, but clearly something went wrong. I guess it happens, as rocket travel is an extremely hazardous activity, with almost 100,000 kg of propellant. But still, you can’t help but wonder if the same thing would have happened if they had launched last night.

No one was killed or injured, which is good. But the launch pad has been severely damaged, and of course, the rocket and its cargo were destroyed.

[Starduster]

Thank you for sharing this. At first appearance, the first stage motor blew apart, and down it went.

Blunt reminder that we’re only making a dangerous thing *look* routine.

Meanwhile, some sailboat, probably out of Chincoteague, is in big trouble.

Found a slightly better NASA feed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHMmMgdcOSU

And this one, decidely rawer, from the press site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

[Author]

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