17 May 2010
Space Shuttle Atlantis, docked to the International Space Station, glides over the BA, in a cloudy sky.
The two spacecrafts are visible as a streak of light, due to their orbital motion, below centre of image.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem, Senior Astronomy Specialist
On 14 May, NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted into space, from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), on its final mission, designated STS-132 (Space Transportation System 132). The main object of STS-132 is to deliver a new Russian module to the International Space Station (ISS), orbiting Earth at an altitude of about 340 km.
On the evening of 16 May, Atlantis reached the ISS, and docked to it. Intriguingly, the two spacecrafts flew in the sky of Alexandria, about five hours after docking. PSC Senior Astronomy Specialist Aymen Ibrahem photographed Atlantis and the ISS, while gliding gracefully over the BA.
Atlantis and the ISS, orbiting Earth at a seed of over 27,000 km/h, were visible to the unaided eye as a brilliant white star, moving from northwest to northeast. The spectacular flight lasted only 3 minutes! Atlantis is scheduled to return to Earth on 26 May 2010. Following the completion of STS-132, Atlantis will be grounded, after 24 years of operation. Atlantis accomplished 31 spaceflights, totaling a cumulative period of 282 days in space. It orbited Earth 4,462 times, and launched 185 astronauts into space.
Atlantis’ two companion orbiters, Space Shuttle Discovery and Space Shuttle Endeavor, are also scheduled to be grounded this year. This will mark the retirement of the shuttle fleet and the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program, a magnificent eventful era in space exploration.
Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist
aymen.ibrahem@bibalex.org