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Aihnss.181 net.columbia utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ihnss!karn Wed Nov 11 04:24:19 1981 Shuttle orbital data I have obtained, courtesy of AMSAT, the following orbital information for STS-2 (the second Space Shuttle mission):

Orbital inclination: 38 degrees

Period: 89.3 minutes

Longitude increment: 22.8 degrees/orbit (the westward progression of the equator crossing due to the rotation of the earth under the orbit)

Equator crossings: Orbit #2: 144 degrees west at T+81 minutes Orbit 12: 12 degrees west at T+16 hours 14 minutes

I am going to try converting these figures into something I can give my orbit prediction programs, and see if I can optically sight the orbiter from here (Northeast Illinois). For this to be possible, the orbiter will have to be passing just before dawn or just after dusk, with it in sunlight, and far enough north in order for it to be above my southern horizon. Assuming this, (and clear skies), it should be very easily seen with the unaided eye. I sighted Skylab many times when it was in orbit, and it was very bright.

Phil Karn

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