The space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station are flying together 220 miles overhead until Sunday, May 23. The station and the shuttle will circle the Earth every 90 minutes. The spacecraft offer unique sighting opportunities for sky gazers around the world.
There are good sighting opportunities, weather permitting, on Tuesday for Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee; on Wednesday for California and Texas; and on Thursday for Florida. For information about when the spacecraft will be visible over your city, visit: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Photo Credit: NASA"]
[/caption]The space shuttle Atlantis delivered the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 to the station. The mission's three spacewalks focus on storing spare components outside the station. These components include a communications antenna, parts for the Canadian Dextre robotic arm etc. Also they will replace six solar array batteries.
The station appears even brighter than usual in the morning and evening sky with the shuttle attached. The station may be seen everyday from various locations from around the world just prior to sunrise and just after to sunset.
The International Space Station is celebrating its 10th anniversary of continuous human occupancy this year. The station is a unique partnership between the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe. Its construction began in 1998, and 23 crews have lived aboard the orbiting complex since 2000.
The station residents conduct important science and technology experiments while they are aboard.
If you wish to learn more about the International Space Station and its crew, pleas visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station
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