03-31-2017, 08:03 PM
I've heard from a few of my colleagues at NASA that the International Space Station will be adjusting its orbit so that it remains over the Big Island for several hours in late May. Apparently, this is a collaboration between the USGS, NOAA and NASA to study the Kilauea lava flows and map the areas most at risk of any future flows. They also want to use some of the high-tech imaging equipment onboard the ISS to map the debris from shelf collapses which are just under the surface of the ocean. This will help refine the safety zone around lava ocean entry. The pause in its orbit will also allow the astronauts to carry out some much-needed maintenance on the station's thrusters.
This will obviously change future ISS orbits and sighting opportunities but does mean it will be easy to spot the ISS on the date NASA chooses to do this. I'll update everyone with details nearer the time.
This will obviously change future ISS orbits and sighting opportunities but does mean it will be easy to spot the ISS on the date NASA chooses to do this. I'll update everyone with details nearer the time.