Saw the Space Station today!!

FlySmiley · August 21st, 2007, 02:02

Flying from Atlanta to St. Louis... Chattanooga approach

ATC: Starcheck xx do you have GPS on that thing?
Me: Yep
ATC: I suppose it has a pretty accurate clock on it?
Me: I hope so
ATC: Well, at 28:42 look around your 12 o'clock high, and moving from the NE to NW you might be able to see the shuttle and the space station

So I looked at that time, and saw what at first appeared to be two bright stars, but then they turned into two very fast moving stars. ATC told me I should see two of them, and that the first one would be the International Space Station and the second would be the Space Shuttle Endeavour. They were visible for only a few minutes. I'll admit I don't keep up with all of that stuff as much as I'd like, but it was still cool. Rock on ATC!!

This is info from the Human Space Flight sighting opportunities for Chattanooga:

ISS Mon Aug 20/09:28 PM Elevation 31 deg 13 above NNW 26 above ENE

SHUTTLE Mon Aug 20/09:29 PM Elevation 31 deg 13 above NNW 26 above ENE

The link: (you can look up your town) http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdat...=United+States

rookiepilot09 · August 21st, 2007, 04:25

thats aweosme man...thank you for the info, I'll definately be looking out for the shuttle and the ISS...have a good night!

firebirdswm · August 21st, 2007, 06:14

That sounds really cool. Nice of ATC to mention it.

surreal1221 · August 21st, 2007, 06:59

My sister in law told me last night that one of her professors told them about looking up in the sky last night to see the two seperate.

Pretty cool that you actually got to see it though, I was sleeping like a baby.

MQAAord · August 21st, 2007, 09:23

That's really cool!

We'll be watching the landing today!

Schinpop · August 21st, 2007, 10:12

Check out www.heavens-above.com if you want to see satellites. Type in your location and you can get anything you want. Iridium flairs, too.

JDE · August 21st, 2007, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebirdswm

That sounds really cool. Nice of ATC to mention it.

That's pretty sweet! I've been flying out of CHA for 2 years now, and I can barely get them to say "Good Day"!

drhunterr · August 21st, 2007, 11:31

I'll concur with JDE...I'm pretty shocked they were nice enough to mention that. People in Chattanooga aren't always known for being the most polite...you know...friendly people. There are exceptions, but if you've lived there ya kinda know...

freakin sweet about the station though man

skidz · August 21st, 2007, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlySmiley

ATC: Well, at 28:42 look around your 12 o'clock high, and moving from the NE to NW you might be able to see the shuttle and the space station

uh....tower...roger...looking for trafic

Stinger · August 21st, 2007, 12:34

A couple weeks ago, we were out on the lake about 11 pm in a boat and could see satellites traveling across the sky. They just looked like stars but they were moving fast.

mikecweb · August 21st, 2007, 12:37

That's awesome I love the guys and gal at Chatanooga approach. I dealt with them every Monday night on the run smiley was doing and they were nothing but great to me. They once told me that the winds were forecasted to be be better up at 10k and asked if I'd like to climb up there.

falconvalley · August 21st, 2007, 13:56

That's awesome. I've seen both separately, but sure as heck not at the same time!

SBI · August 21st, 2007, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by surreal1221

My sister in law told me last night that one of her professors told them about looking up in the sky last night to see the two seperate.

Pretty cool that you actually got to see it though, I was sleeping like a baby.

Something doesn't add up...the two separated on Sunday around midday, not last night...

FlySmiley · August 21st, 2007, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBI

Something doesn't add up...the two separated on Sunday around midday, not last night...

According the sighting data they would be visible about 1 minute apart.. that's what ATC said and that is what I saw. How far apart would they get in that time period? Wouldn't they stay somewhat close to each other in orbit? From what I understand, re-entry is ahead of schedule for the shuttle and will be in sometime today.

mikecweb · August 21st, 2007, 15:54

they are travelling at 17,000+mph up there 1 min is a pretty big distance if you think about it.

Tim · August 21st, 2007, 15:58

When I lived in Orlando I went over to Titusville and watched a night launch. That is one awesome thing to see. To hear the sound waves come across the water to where we were was cool. The launch lite the sky up almost like day time. I recommend a night launch to anyone.

August 21st, 2007, 02:02	#1
FlySmiley Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 173	Saw the Space Station today!! Flying from Atlanta to St. Louis... Chattanooga approach ATC: Starcheck xx do you have GPS on that thing? Me: Yep ATC: I suppose it has a pretty accurate clock on it? Me: I hope so ATC: Well, at 28:42 look around your 12 o'clock high, and moving from the NE to NW you might be able to see the shuttle and the space station So I looked at that time, and saw what at first appeared to be two bright stars, but then they turned into two very fast moving stars. ATC told me I should see two of them, and that the first one would be the International Space Station and the second would be the Space Shuttle Endeavour. They were visible for only a few minutes. I'll admit I don't keep up with all of that stuff as much as I'd like, but it was still cool. Rock on ATC!! This is info from the Human Space Flight sighting opportunities for Chattanooga: ISS Mon Aug 20/09:28 PM Elevation 31 deg 13 above NNW 26 above ENE SHUTTLE Mon Aug 20/09:29 PM Elevation 31 deg 13 above NNW 26 above ENE The link: (you can look up your town) http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdat...=United+States

August 21st, 2007, 04:25	#2
rookiepilot09 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 6	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! thats aweosme man...thank you for the info, I'll definately be looking out for the shuttle and the ISS...have a good night! __________________ "get busy living or get busy dying"

August 21st, 2007, 06:14	#3
firebirdswm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 460	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! That sounds really cool. Nice of ATC to mention it.

August 21st, 2007, 06:59	#4
surreal1221 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alpha Tango Lima Posts: 9,836	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! My sister in law told me last night that one of her professors told them about looking up in the sky last night to see the two seperate. Pretty cool that you actually got to see it though, I was sleeping like a baby. __________________ AGI.MEI.CFI.CFII.FO.CRJ2 \| Josh \| The TRoP \| Rmble On \| ALPA \| IVAW \| ACLU \|

August 21st, 2007, 09:23	#5
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 9,406	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! That's really cool! We'll be watching the landing today! __________________ PPL SEL 100-ish hours TT Former American Airlines F/A (12 months) Former Simmons/Eagle F/A (6 years) Former Eagle ground school instructor (1 year) Former Eagle IOE instructor (3 years)

August 21st, 2007, 10:12	#6
Schinpop Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 62	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! Check out www.heavens-above.com if you want to see satellites. Type in your location and you can get anything you want. Iridium flairs, too.

August 21st, 2007, 11:31	#8
drhunterr Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: KCHA, KTYS, KATL Posts: 178	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! I'll concur with JDE...I'm pretty shocked they were nice enough to mention that. People in Chattanooga aren't always known for being the most polite...you know...friendly people. There are exceptions, but if you've lived there ya kinda know... freakin sweet about the station though man

August 21st, 2007, 12:34	#10
Stinger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Montana/UND Posts: 431	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! A couple weeks ago, we were out on the lake about 11 pm in a boat and could see satellites traveling across the sky. They just looked like stars but they were moving fast. __________________ Air Traffic Controller's motto----If the clouds are low and thick, pick up the phone and call in sick.

August 21st, 2007, 12:37	#11
mikecweb Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KBOS Posts: 2,870	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! That's awesome I love the guys and gal at Chatanooga approach. I dealt with them every Monday night on the run smiley was doing and they were nothing but great to me. They once told me that the winds were forecasted to be be better up at 10k and asked if I'd like to climb up there. __________________ Why run a company when you can destroy it - George Gonzalez When three failed airlines on a resume just isn't enough.

August 21st, 2007, 13:56	#12
falconvalley Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KMKE Posts: 1,960	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! That's awesome. I've seen both separately, but sure as heck not at the same time! __________________ British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal. Control Tower replies: "And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?"

August 21st, 2007, 15:54	#15
mikecweb Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KBOS Posts: 2,870	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! they are travelling at 17,000+mph up there 1 min is a pretty big distance if you think about it. __________________ Why run a company when you can destroy it - George Gonzalez When three failed airlines on a resume just isn't enough.

August 21st, 2007, 15:58	#16
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: Saw the Space Station today!! When I lived in Orlando I went over to Titusville and watched a night launch. That is one awesome thing to see. To hear the sound waves come across the water to where we were was cool. The launch lite the sky up almost like day time. I recommend a night launch to anyone. __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

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