[TriLUG] OT -- NASA Shuttle Launch Today

[Brian Daniels]

On 07/08/2011 12:40 PM, Joseph Mack NA3T wrote:
> On Fri, 8 Jul 2011, William Chandler wrote:
>
>> Just a friendly reminder that the Shuttle launch is today at 11:25am.
>
> Thanks, watching it on the internet is better than being there.
>
> Anyone know why it takes 2days for the shuttle to reach the ISS? Why
> can't they launch the shuttle to arrive right at the ISS?
>
> Joe
>
The ISS orbits in a plane that is not optimal for launches from Kennedy 
to reach, but is instead a compromise to allow Soyuz launches from 
Baikonur.  It takes time for the small OMS thrusters on the Shuttle to 
make the needed changes to the orbit.

--Brian

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Brian Daniels                  bitmage at pobox.com
       http://www.eviloverlord.net