8 Sep
2004
8 Sep
'04
12:38 a.m.
Chuck Hards wrote:
What amazes me about this mission is the expected pinpoint accuracy of the re-entry.
Well, not quite pinpoint. The craft is predicted to land within a ellipse that measures about 24x35 km. The recovery pilots don't expect to see it right away and will be told precisely where to head once radar gets a good track.
Unless I'm mistaken, only 3 helicopters are involved... The primary helicopter is followed by the backup (both of those are civilians). Those two are followed by a military helicopter that carries the on site commander and bringing up the rear is the media helicopter.
I understand that there will be at least one high altitude fixed wing aircraft with up looking cameras trying to get video of the reentry. Patrick