Awesome picture from my colleague Thomas Pesquet ;-)
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NASAVerified account@NASA 1h1 hour ago
Installation confirmed! @SpaceX’s #Dragon cargo vehicle was officially attached to @Space_Station at 8:12am ET. Info http://go.nasa.gov/2lz4rCa
Installation confirmed! @SpaceX’s #Dragon cargo vehicle was officially attached to @Space_Station at 8:12am ET. Info http://go.nasa.gov/2lz4rCa
Mod note: Moved the great discussion about Mechanics of F9 first stage return-to-launch-site (from CRS-10) to its own thread.
Generic enthusiast note: Seems like second try's the charm, for both the launch and the Dragon approach to ISS
Generic enthusiast note: Seems like second try's the charm, for both the launch and the Dragon approach to ISS
NASA videos of approach, capture, grapple, and berthing of Dragon CRS-10 to the ISS:
(This post is tangentially related to the thread topic...)
When I was watching the CRS-10 post-launch press conference last week someone on the panel (I think it was SpaceX Dragon Mission Manager Jessica Jensen?) mentioned that it would be possible to see the ISS and the Dragon together from Earth before the Dragon was docked. I went to International Space Station and found the date/times for my location but unfortunately cloud cover prevented me from seeing anything.
So I made a note of the next sighting opportunity for me, which was at 0609 today when the ISS would appear at 10 degrees above the SW horizon and be visible for 8 minutes. From my house I can't see that low to the horizon in that direction, but at about 0610 my wife and I were treated to the site of the ISS moving across the completely clear sky!
We were amazed at how bright it was and how fast it moved. Yes, I know the ISS speed is about 17,150mph but still it is stunning to see because it seems to move faster than just about any plane I have ever seen unless it is close to takeoff or landing (I live a few miles from SFO and am used to seeing jet planes at low altitudes). When I first sighted it today as it rose above the horizon it was significantly brighter than Venus which as it happened was also visible to the SW. As the ISS arced overhead at 80 degrees above the horizon towards the NW it gradually grew dimmer.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that this morning was the first time in my life that I had ever see the ISS in "real life". From now on I am going to make the effort to try and see the ISS and Dragon as they orbit just before docking.
When I was watching the CRS-10 post-launch press conference last week someone on the panel (I think it was SpaceX Dragon Mission Manager Jessica Jensen?) mentioned that it would be possible to see the ISS and the Dragon together from Earth before the Dragon was docked. I went to International Space Station and found the date/times for my location but unfortunately cloud cover prevented me from seeing anything.
So I made a note of the next sighting opportunity for me, which was at 0609 today when the ISS would appear at 10 degrees above the SW horizon and be visible for 8 minutes. From my house I can't see that low to the horizon in that direction, but at about 0610 my wife and I were treated to the site of the ISS moving across the completely clear sky!
We were amazed at how bright it was and how fast it moved. Yes, I know the ISS speed is about 17,150mph but still it is stunning to see because it seems to move faster than just about any plane I have ever seen unless it is close to takeoff or landing (I live a few miles from SFO and am used to seeing jet planes at low altitudes). When I first sighted it today as it rose above the horizon it was significantly brighter than Venus which as it happened was also visible to the SW. As the ISS arced overhead at 80 degrees above the horizon towards the NW it gradually grew dimmer.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that this morning was the first time in my life that I had ever see the ISS in "real life". From now on I am going to make the effort to try and see the ISS and Dragon as they orbit just before docking.
What do you mean by "before docking"? I thought Dragon has already docked with ISS.
Sorry for not being clearer. The first paragraph of my post tries to explain that I attempted to see the ISS and Dragon pass overhead together "before the Dragon was docked" as was mentioned in the post-launch press conference. I was unable to see them on the date/time last week as shown at International Space Station because of cloud cover.
This morning I was able to see the ISS pass over, but of course now the Dragon is docked so I only saw the ISS, I could not see the Dragon as a separate point of light.
This morning I was able to see the ISS pass over, but of course now the Dragon is docked so I only saw the ISS, I could not see the Dragon as a separate point of light.
Mike1080i
Member
I've shown some friends and co-workers how to spot the ISS and almost always get a similar report from them.
(Possibly even less tangentially related to the topic...)
Iridium flares can be pretty impressive as well although much shorter in duration. The new Iridium birds don't use the same antennas, so try can catch some before all the old birds are taken out of service!
The Dragon left the station yesterday and there was a successful splashdown today.
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