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More solar power coming on line
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Posted by editor
Mon Sep 18, 2006 16:24:11 PDT
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Manned Space Watch
Having dodged tropical storms and lightning bolts, Space Shuttle Atlantis has docked with International Space Station Alpha. The crew has attached and unfurled new solar-energy panels for the station, which will greatly increase their electrical supply. Three long space walks were needed, which the astronauts described as very difficult work. Atlantis is scheduled to return to Florida on Wednesday. Should she need to land at Edwards AFB, it would probably be on Friday or Saturday.
It is important to realize the importance that this extra power means to the space station's crew. As we go about our homes, turning on this light and that, most of us assume that we can consume however much electricity we want, as long as we're willing to pay the electric bill. As a submariner, I have firsthand knowledge of what it's like to live without an endless supply of electricity.
For three years I was a member of the United States Naval Submarine Service. When it comes to understanding life aboard a space station, submariners know a lot more about it than airplane pilots who simply land before their fuel runs out. An Air Force sergeant once told me that, “The Air Force shuts down at five o'clock.” The same cannot be said of the Submarine Service. One day our captain said, “Dive the boat.” (All submarines, regardless of their size, are still called “boats.”) Seventy-eight days later he said, “Surface!” That's equivalent to about 1000 orbits for the space station.
It was not uncommon to run our boat on “Reduced Electrical” for a variety of possible reasons. Most of the crew never found out exactly why, for they had no need to know. Perhaps it was a mechanical or electrical problem, or perhaps because we needed to run silently on our batteries to evade a hostile submarine. Or perhaps it was just a drill. However, during those times, electrical power was at a premium. All power was reserved for essential systems only. Many systems that were particularly important to the crew were not available, such as the laundry, lighting, music, and even power outlets for our electric shavers.
Space Station Alpha has been underpowered for several years — ever since the Space Shuttles were grounded by the Columbia tragedy. Alpha's crew was reduced to only two; I wonder which has grown the longest beard. By now, they'll have had a chance to shave and turn up the lights. Hopefully there will be enough sustenance to return the third member of the crew.
Perhaps there'll even be enough power for the bowling alley, the pinball machines, and the Coke machine. (Please, I'm just kidding; we're not that far along yet!)
Tehachapians will be treated to a good view of International Space Station Alpha on the mornings of Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24 as fellows:
Sept. 23: Appearing bright in the south at 5:21 a.m. about 34-degrees above the horizon, rising rapidly toward the southeast to a maximum height of 44-degrees, and disappearing into the morning twilight at 5:24 a.m.
Sept. 24: Appearing even brighter in the west at 5:43 a.m. about 28-degrees above the horizon, rising rapidly toward the northwest to a maximum height of 40-degrees, and disappearing into the northeast morning twilight at 5:46 a.m.
And may fortune favor the bold crew of Atlantis.
Night Sky Watch
The moon rises later and grows dimmer each night, giving us a dark sky in the evening.
Jupiter is still bright in the southwestern sky this week.
Saturn is getting easier to find in the eastern sky before dawn and gets higher in the sky as September progresses.