LED_Thrift
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just did something I've been trying to do for a few years. On the NASA website there is a 'Satelite Tracker' link which lets you plug in your zip code and tells you when the Space Station, the Space Shuttle [when it's in orbit], or other satelites will pass over your location.
I watch the Space Station pass overhead every once in a while, it is now brighter than Venus since they keep adding solar panels. I've seen the shuttle, which is not nearly as bright - it looks like a generic satelite overhead. I've observed them when the shuttle and station are linked, which is undoubtedly brighter, but you can't really notice any difference between them linked and the Space Station alone.
I've always wanted to see them slightly separated, which is what I just observed. You could see them both, they passed a given point about 30 seconds apart, the much brighter station following the shuttle in the same path. Since there are only two scheduled shuttle flights left, time was running out in my quest, and I feel lucky that I got to see them close together. The bucket list is one shorter.
I watch the Space Station pass overhead every once in a while, it is now brighter than Venus since they keep adding solar panels. I've seen the shuttle, which is not nearly as bright - it looks like a generic satelite overhead. I've observed them when the shuttle and station are linked, which is undoubtedly brighter, but you can't really notice any difference between them linked and the Space Station alone.
I've always wanted to see them slightly separated, which is what I just observed. You could see them both, they passed a given point about 30 seconds apart, the much brighter station following the shuttle in the same path. Since there are only two scheduled shuttle flights left, time was running out in my quest, and I feel lucky that I got to see them close together. The bucket list is one shorter.