AUT tracks re-entry of first private space mission

AUT tracks re-entry and splashdown of first private space mission

AUT University’s Institute of Radio Astronomy and Space Research (IRASR) will track re-entry of the first private space flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

Re-entry is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Thursday 31st May) with broadcast of the departure from the ISS commencing at 7.30pm New Zealand time (3.30am EDT).

AUT’s radio astronomers will be tracking the Dragon space craft as it re-enters orbit and splashes down into the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles off the west coast of California.

California-based SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies) launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space craft from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday 22nd May. The Dragon space craft successfully berthed at the ISS on Friday 25th May.

More information
NASA TV will begin live coverage of the departure of Dragon at 2:30 a.m. CDT (3:30 a.m. EDT). Coverage will continue through the release of Dragon from the station, currently scheduled for 5:10 a.m. CDT (6:10 a.m. EDT) and will resume at 9:15 a.m. CDT (10:15 a.m. EDT) with deorbit and splashdown coverage. The capsule is currently scheduled to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at 10:44 a.m. CDT (11:44 a.m. EDT) hundreds of miles off the west coast of California likely out of range of live television.

Web resources
SpaceX press releases - http://www.spacex.com/media.php
High-Resolution photographs - http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com
Broadcast quality video - https://vimeo.com/spacexlaunch/videos
Live coverage of Dragon’s departure from the ISS - http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ and NASA TV http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
SpaceX media kit - http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf
Falcon 9 launch vehicle - http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php
Dragon spacecraft - http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php
AUT’s Institute of Radio Astronomy and Space Research (IRASR)- http://www.irasr.aut.ac.nz/
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