Last Chance to See Atlantis

With Mother Nature’s Cooperation, Shuttle Atlantis Will Be Visible

With the final launch of space shuttle Atlantis on Friday, comes a last opportunity for residents across the nation to view its passing in the celestial sky. STS-132 is the final mission for shuttle Atlantis. It is scheduled to be a 12-day mission that will take Atlantis to the International Space Station to deliver and install the Russian built Mini Research Module-1, known as Rassvet, meaning “Dawn” in Russian. This new piece to the ISS will provide for a new docking port for Soyuz and Progress spacecraft, a new radiator, a new airlock and a European robotic arm.

As Atlantis chases the ISS Friday and Saturday, residents will have the opportunity of not only seeing the ISS fly overhead but also the shuttle!. The only caveat is whether or not clouds will obscure the view and unfortunately, for some, that is likely as afternoon and evening thunderstorms are forecast. If the sky remains clear, here are the opportunities to view Atlantis chasing the ISS and catching up with it this weekend.

City	Time	Duration (Min)	Approach	Departure
Boston	8:20 PM	<1	34o Above ESE	18o Above ESE
Baltimore	9:50 PM	<1	16o Above W	18o Above WSW
Louisville	9:49 PM	1	36o Above NW	35o Above ESE
Nashville	8:49 PM	2	18o Above NNW	28o Above ENE
Huntsville	8:49 PM	1	17o Above N	23o Above ENE
Memphis	8:49 PM	1	15o Above N	16o Above ENE
Chicago	8:48 PM	2	35o Above WNW	17o Above SE
St. Louis	8:48 PM	2	23o Above NNW	15o Above ESE

Viewing of Shuttle Atlantis Saturday

Day	Time	Duration (Min)	Approach	Departure
Boston	8:26 PM	3	36o Above W	15o Above SE
New York	8:28 PM	<1	26o Above SE	17o Above SE
Orlando	10:01 PM	<1	21o Above NW	16o Above SE
Louisville	9:59 PM	2	26o Above W	24o Above S
Nashville	8:59 PM	2	31o Above WNW	31o Above SSE
Huntsville	8:59 PM	2	32o Above NW	42o Above SE
Memphis	8:59 PM	3	33o Above NW	25o Above ESE
Chicago	8:58 PM	3	20o Above W	16o Above S
St. Louis	8:58 PM	3	39o Above WNW	16o Above SE
Little Rock	8:58 PM	3	24o Above NNW	18o Above ESE
Dallas	8:58 PM	3	16o Above N	15o Above E
Houston	8:59 PM	2	15o Above NNE	16o Above ENE

Viewing of Shuttle Atlantis Sunday

For more cities that will have the chance of seeing the shuttle fly by you can click here.