Orion Launch Today

[RizzoTheRat]

Eric Mc said:

You would be amazed how much footage there is of Saturn launches. They used almost as many cameras as they use now - even on board cameras. The difference is that most of the cameras used film - although there was some use of TV imagery as well.

If you get hold of the DVD called "The Mighty Saturns" you will see just how much footage there is. And that is just the Saturn launches.

Reviews certainly look good http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spacecraft-Mighty-Saturns-...

[anonymous-user]

MartG said:

SM fairing sep

Anyone know what the apogee of parts like those fairings is, and how long before they come back down??

(think they get jettisoned at around 12kMph & 150NM)

[Eric Mc]

Next up will be a firing of the upper stage motor to boost the Orion to an altitude of 3,600 miles. It's already 450 miles high.

[FunkyNige]

Gandahar said:

Is the drone flying over the splashdown zone? Will that be shown live?

Apparently so, but it's 'cloud permitting and fingers crossed' whether it will actually see it coming down on the parachutes (so the man on NASA TV just said!).

[Eric Mc]

Mission Control looks like Computer Geek Heaven.

[FunkyNige]

Eric Mc said:

Mission Control looks like Computer Geek Heaven.

I've just said the same the other programmers in my department, we're quite jealous of the size and number of their screens as I have to make do with a 23 and a 19...


Though the guy on the right with 6 screens is using his laptop for some reason!

[Eric Mc]

Probably posting on Pistonheads.

[RobGT81]

Next engine burn in 15 minutes?

[thatdude]

Just loaded up the feed to see a stunning shot of earth from high orbit (i think)


Wow

that's earth right now (well, in the current sort of time frame). Just blue with white clouds and maybe some landmasses I can see there?

And to think from that high up nothing / no-one can see all the st that happens down here. It would be awesome if they could have another camera looking out into space towards the stars

[CrutyRammers]

thatdude said:

Just loaded up the feed to see a stunning shot of earth from high orbit (i think)


Wow

that's earth right now (well, in the current sort of time frame). Just blue with white clouds and maybe some landmasses I can see there?

And to think from that high up nothing / no-one can see all the st that happens down here. It would be awesome if they could have another camera looking out into space towards the stars

OT but you can get similar live footage from the ISS here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payload. Pretty amazing stuff, really.

[Eric Mc]

No stars visible in daylight - even in space. It just crossed the Gulf of Mexico and is heading across the Atlantic again. However, with the engine burn now on it will start climbing even higher.

[Eric Mc]

Travelling at over 5 miles per second.

[RobGT81]

Jebediah would approve of this if he was onboard. He may even go for a cheeky mid burn ETA.

[Eric Mc]

I notice that the perigee is now shown at minus 20 nautical miles - which is 20 miles underground

[RobGT81]

Apogee is a bit short? They were hoping for 3600nm?

[Eric Mc]

Is that actual altitude or predicted altitude? I expect it will coast on up to the target peak altitude. It's essentially freewheeling up hill - but gradually slowing.

I notice that they are currently receiving data through the Asscension Island tracking station.

[Eric Mc]

Predicted.

Currently about 800 miles up and climbing.

[marksx]

RobGT81 said:

Apogee is a bit short? They were hoping for 3600nm?

I heard the announcer say 3600 miles, but not nautical miles.

An apogee of 3130 nm is 3602 nm. Maybe a coincidence, or using the bigger number for the TV?

[CrutyRammers]

RobGT81 said:

Apogee is a bit short? They were hoping for 3600nm?

3600 miles is 3128 nautical miles so I guess people have been quoting different units.
It wont go higher than predicted unless it burns again.

[Eric Mc]

Probably the fact that the announcer is using statute US miles and the display is using nautical miles. Nautical miles are the official measurement of distance in aviation and space.