ISS / Shuttle Viewing
What is the ISS ?
ISS stands for the International Space Station. The construction is an effort between no less than 16 Nations including The US, Canada, Russia, UK, Japan, Brazil and many other Countries across Europe. Construction began in 1998 and is hoped to be completed by 2010 when Nasa's shuttle fleet go out of service. Once complete it will span a whopping 361 feet end to end.
Viewing the ISS
Over a 15 day period (approx) the International Space Station can be viewed as it passes over the UK evening skies. Travelling at around 15,000 miles per hour it takes 5 minutes to cross the whole sky from West to East at any given location. It is at an altitude of around 220 miles and takes a mere 95 minutes to completely circumnavigate the Earth.
How bright is the ISS?
The station now reaches magnitude -2.5 Sometimes it visually seems to reach magnitude of -3.5 with a distinct orangy tinge to it (most likely coming from the new set of solar arrays). On completion it is expected to reach the brightness of Venus!
Future evening ISS passes over the UK...
NASA has a fleet of shuttle's which play a vital role in the construction of the ISS enabling the various sections of the station to be installed. Like the ISS, the shuttle can be viewed passing over UK skies at certain times. It is said the shuttle can be viewed 20 minutes after launch as it's trajectory takes it over Europe at this time. The shuttle reaches magnitude -2.5 but this depends which side of the shuttle is facing Earth. The shuttle should be at it's brightest When it performs the 'flip manoeuvre' as the white top side of the shuttle faces toward Earth at this time with the black, unreflective underbelly facing upward.
Shuttle pass times can be found on Heveans-Above.com usually 1 day after launch
