Dragon chasing the ISS over Ottawa. Image credit and copyright: Andrew Symes
Posted on 04/09/2015 8:12:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Hunting for satellites from your backyard can be positively addicting. Sure, the Orion Nebula or the Andromeda Galaxy appear grand… and they’ll also look exactly the same throughout the short span of our fleeting human lifetimes. Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, humans also have added their own ephemeral ‘stars’ to the sky. It’s fun to sleuth out just what these might be, as they photobomb the sky overhead. In the coming week, we’d like to turn your attention towards a unique opportunity to watch a high profile space launch approach a well-known orbiting space laboratory.
On Monday, April 13th 2015, SpaceX will launch its CRS-6 resupply mission headed towards the International Space Station. As of this writing, the launch is set for 20:33 Universal Time (UT) or 4:33 PM EDT. This is just over three hours prior to local sunset. The launch window to catch the ISS is instantaneous, and Tuesday April 14th at 4:10 PM EDT is the backup date if the launch does not occur on Monday.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
“The launch window to catch the ISS is instantaneous ...”
What does statement mean?
"Who goofed -- I've got to know."
The launch has no delay window in it. If it doesn’t happen at the right moment, then you have to scrub for the backup date and time.
Based on the speed of the ISS and the amount of fuel and payload of the supply rocket, you have to launch at a certain time or you’ll miss the ISS.
Like a quarterback throwing a pass to a crossing receiver on a timing route. The receiver has to be on his spot at an exact moment, because the quarterback is throwing to the spot, not to the man. If the receiver is held, the pass will be incomplete.
Tweeeeet...."Defensive pass interference! 15,000 mile penalty...still 1st down!"
Ah!
Got it.
Thanks BenLurkin. Extra to APoD.
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