Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Party

[+Jamie Z]

Although not directly geocaching related, it is geocaching chatroom related, as well as space-related, which is the basis of our hobby.

 

It's become tradition to have a launch party in the geocaching chatroom during televised launches. Together, we've watched a couple of shuttle launches, we watched both Spirit and Opportunity land on the surface of Mars, and we watched as NASA crashed a probe into an asteroid and filmed it.

 

Discovery is scheduled to launch December 7, 2006 at 9:35pm EST, 8:25pm CST. It will be the first night launch in four years.

 

Join us in the chat room (http://gcchat.clayjar.com/) for live discussion of the launch. The launch will be viewable on NASA TV, and probably CNN. If you have neither, there are several NASA TV video streams online, found here: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

 

I'll post a reminder on launch day.

 

Jamie

[+nekom]

I'm sure cnn/msnbc/fox news will all carry it. last one I think ABC was the only network that broke in, and that was at T-1:00 or so. I don't know WHY there isn't more interest, it's a glorious thing to behold.

[+Tallahassee Lassie]

I've been to several shuttle day launches and they were awesome. I wish my responsibilities didn't prevent me from going to this one!

[+Road Rabbit]

I'd join you, but I'll be busy until about 11 p.m. on Thursday.

[+JT & PJ Cole]

I plan on watching the lift off live! When the shuttle clears the horizon, it is like the sun coming up.

We live about 150 miles North of the Cape.

[+Jamie Z]

During the last launch, geocacher RocketMan joined us. He works in the space industry and told us some stories about the rockets he's been involved with. It'd be cool if he was in there again.

 

I've been to one launch myself, STS91, which was the last Shuttle to dock to Mir. From the viewing site five miles away, the ground vibrated and my truck shook. It's one of the most incredible things I've seen in my life.

 

So far as I've heard, weather is the only thing that might get in the way, and right now it's only a slight chance.

 

Rabit, why the smiley? Something we're missing?

 

Jamie

[+Mopar]

Rabit, why the smiley? Something we're missing?

 

Jamie

Judging by his occupation listed in his profile, I suspect he's gonna be VERY busy around that time.

[+Jamie Z]

Judging by his occupation listed in his profile, I suspect he's gonna be VERY busy around that time.

Cool.

 

Jamie

[+olbluesguy]

Just a heads up for all on the east coast...This is a night launch,and is supposed to be visible all the way to Maine.

[+nekom]

I was thinking about taking a peek to see if I could actually see it here in PA, but it's cloudy and snowing here. Weather doesn't look real good for a launch to go off tonight, but you never know.

[+wimseyguy]

I'll be looking for it in the southern sky as it passes Raleigh about 9:35 PM. The local paper had a viewing guide, and my normal route home has an ideal vantage point. I often stop there to watch the lightning shows in the summer. Somebody say something witty for me in chat will ya?

[+Jamie Z]

We're about an hour to go, and despite some questionable weather, the launch has not been scrubbed. So far so good.

 

NASA TV has been covering the event since early this afternoon.

 

Come on in, the weather is fine. Now's the time.

 

http://gcchat.clayjar.com/

 

Jamie

[+Jamie Z]

T-10 minutes

[+mtn-man]

Bummer, last minute scrub.

[+Sagefox]

Shucks!

 

Man that orange & white contrast is beautiful at night.

[+Sioneva]

When is it rescheduled for?

[+mtn-man]

Saturday night, but current weather for Saturday only give a 30 percent chance for a launch.

Friday night only had a 10 percent chance for a go.

[+Jamie Z]

Next attempt (and next launch party) is Saturday evening, 8:47pm EST.

 

See you there.

 

Actually you won't. I have to work Saturday night.

 

Jamie

[+SG-MIN]

Just a heads up for all on the east coast...This is a night launch,and is supposed to be visible all the way to Maine.

Where did you get this information? I really would love to make plans to see it - even from Kentucky.

[+Airmapper]

I heard the sonic boom off the shuttle once from where I live. Didn't know what it was until I watched the local news.

 

I'd like to watch too, maybe they will reschedule a night launch for next attempt, and it won't be cloudy.

Edited December 8, 2006 by Airmapper

[+The GeoGadgets Team]

According the NASA website, the launch is rescheduled for 8:47 PM EST. We are really hoping for clear weather here in Maine. Supposedly, the launch will be visible along the coast all the way to Nova Scotia. My kids are so jazzed. We went outside all bundled up to watch on Thursday (I let them stay up late), but all we got was hot chocolate and snowed on...

 

The glow of the booster rockets off the snow would be awesome!

 

Link To Shuttle Info

 

Link to Launch Info

[+Mopar]

Looks like Jamie might miss his own launch party tonight.

Edited December 10, 2006 by Mopar

[FlagFinder]

45 minutes till launch!!! i wonder if i can see the glow for minnesota its worth a try

[FlagFinder]

5 mins till launch im headen out

[FlagFinder]

never saw it i guess MN is out of view

[+Confucius' Cat]

looked gr8 on the streaming video

[+Jamie Z]

Yup, I missed it.

 

Had to work tonight. Tried to schedule a break at the time of launch, but it couldn't be done. In fact, I couldn't find any news about it until I got home.

 

Glad it got off the ground, but sorry I didn't get to see it. Night launches are cool.

 

Jamie

[+nekom]

well dang, they had to do it on the night of my company Christmas party didn't they. Oh well, I'll have to check out the video of it.

[+The GeoGadgets Team]

We saw it ever so briefly up here in SW Maine.

I think what we saw was the solid rocket boosters flaring off of the main body... we saw something larger and way faster than an aircraft coming our direction... then - flash! Bright orange flare. We could barely see it for a few seconds more after that, but it was cookin'.

My kids were disappointed, but I was thrilled!

Growing up in So. Cal. I'd see rocket launches all the time in the evening or night sky. Later, living near Ventura, we could see the launches from Lompoc and most definitely heard them re-enter.

We came in and watched the video... I always cry at those things...

 

*sigh*

[+CYBret]

Found this picture from launch night:

Location: 25 mile west of Ormond Beach, Florida. Shot with long exposure (33 sec.) with a Canon 20D using a 17-40mm zoom lens. ISO 200. Tripod and shutter release cable used.

 

--George Bailey

 

(way to go, Clarence!)

[+Iowa Tom]

Dr. Tony Philips e-mailed me and asked if he could use a picture I took of the ISS and Shuttle flying together in formation a few days ago. He saw my image via a link I posted to seeSat-L@satobs.org. [Too bad cemetery is misspelled.]

 

It's the top one shown here.

 

http://www.spaceweather.com/spacecraft/y20...116_19dec06.htm

Tom

[+RockyRaab]

From 1980 until 1985, I was one of the media spokesmen for NASA at KSC. I did launch commentaries for unmanned and Shuttle launches, and was at the press stand when I wasn't commentating. Later, I worked for Thiokol and again was at the press site for almost every launch. I saw 25 Shuttle launches in person from only 3.5 miles away. To say it is awesome is an extreme understatement.

[+Team Golden]

I remember somewhere I found a website that would list when Sats etc. would be overhead. In the pics above how would they know it was flying overhead? Anyone know that website?

[+Iowa Tom]

I remember somewhere I found a website that would list when Sats etc. would be overhead. In the pics above how would they know it was flying overhead? Anyone know that website?

 

Your best bet is Heavens.Above.com at http://www.heavens-above.com/. No need to register. I heard that a person can also sign up for an automated phone call at http://spaceweatherphone.com/. It lets you know when the ISS (at least) is going to fly over.

[+Team Golden]

thanks. That is what I was looking for!