Forums59
Topics1,047,069
Posts14,100,600
Members144,384
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
NASA ACS3 Solar Sail
#15184532
09/07/24 06:19 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,397
Canino
OP
TFF Team Angler
|
OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,397 |
NASA launched the ACS3 Solar Sail on 04/23 and deployed it on 08/29. Since then, it has been confirmed to be tumbling. NASA is kind of vague on whether this is by design or expected, but in any case they have said the attitude control system is currently offline. https://www.nasa.gov/smallspacecraft/what-is-acs3/https://www.livescience.com/space/s...nd-in-orbit-surprising-observations-showThis is a composite of seven continuous 20-second photos of the ACS3 (140 seconds total), taken the evening of 09/06. It is moving right-to-left. It's easy to see that it's fading in and out, tumbling as it moves across the sky. You can easily see the Solar Sail without binoculars or a telescope, and observe that it is tumbling. Go to this site and click ACS3 in the menu. Be sure to enter your Lat/Lon in the upper right for accurate info: https://www.heavens-above.comFind a time that gives the lowest number for the brightness value for best viewing (lower numbers are brighter). Click the time for a sky map. Times are between 8:30pm and 10pm, so you can get the kids outside to see it.
|
|
Re: NASA ACS3 Solar Sail
[Re: Canino]
#15184581
09/07/24 11:48 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27,054
T Bird
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27,054 |
Okie by birth, Texan by choice. USAF "Thunderbirds" Alumni 1985-1989
|
|
Re: NASA ACS3 Solar Sail
[Re: Canino]
#15184682
09/07/24 01:26 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,035
RCarter
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,035 |
WORK HARD.....FISH HARDER!
GOD is Great...BEER is Good...and PEOPLE are CrAZy billy currington
|
|
Re: NASA ACS3 Solar Sail
[Re: Canino]
#15184744
09/07/24 02:30 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,203
GTrigg
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,203 |
|
|
Re: NASA ACS3 Solar Sail
[Re: Canino]
#15193872
09/18/24 03:21 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 15,771
Kicker16
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 15,771 |
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|