STS-128 Updates

[flytandem]

Looking to find the planned docking time with ISS. thanks in advance. /rob

 

[flying coffin]

My guess based on the elements at spaceflight.nasa.gov is somewhere around
243/01:48:06.000 GMT

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Docking with ISS will be on Mon Aug 31 @ 1:03am GMT/UTC.

 

[agentgonzo]

Well, I saw Discovery + the ET go over the UK - one white dot, and one orange dot about half an inch below! <SNIP>
It was un-real. It completely blew me away.
It was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen.

Pete, I know how you feel. I saw the exact same thing for STS 127, though that was late at night rather than early in the morning and it went into orbital sunset after about 45 seconds, so it wasn't quite as spectacular as what you'd have seen. I've seen the ISS go over before, and ISS+Shuttle about an hour before docking, but I think that the orange dot of the ET was the most spectacular and jaw-dropping of the lot. A truly remarkable sight to see, especially after watching the launch live on NTV only 15 minutes before!

Unfortunately I was away this weekend and so missed the launch.

 

[David413]

Posted in add-on support; a simple scenario simulating tomorrow's close approach between debris and the ISS:

http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=10062

 

[flying coffin]

check out today's execute package, it's hilarious!

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/384276main_FD11_EP_PAO.pdf

 

[David413]

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition...in space!

Page 2 of the package...

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/384276main_FD11_EP_PAO.pdf

 

[agentgonzo]

Successful undocking yesterday. Landing planned for tomorrow. Ground tracks available here

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Landing waved off for 1 day due to bad weather at KSC.
New landing times are:

Fri 11 Sep:
KSC: 9:48pm GMT/UTC.
KSC: 11:23pm GMT/UTC.

Sat 12 Sep:
EAFB: 12:53am GMT/UTC.
EAFB: 2:28am GMT/UTC.

 

[David413]

Updated landing scenarios for users of the STS-128 Expansion pack now available under Add-on support forum...

Dave

 

[agentgonzo]

Discovery is now on it's way back to KSC. Stopped over at Barksdale AFB at the moment. Current plan is to take-off at 10am EDT today and be back in KSC later in the day.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911

---------- Post added at 14:46 ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 ----------

SCA is in the air. Flight-time should be about 2hr 45 mins. They will land in Tampa if weather at KSC is bad.

---------- Post added 22-09-09 at 12:45 ---------- Previous post was 21-09-09 at 14:46 ----------

Discovery has now been demated from the SCA and will be in its hangar by about noon EDT.

 

[tblaxland]

Discovery has now been demated from the SCA and will be in its hangar by about noon EDT.

Looks like it made it: