On 11/2/2014 6:31 PM, wrote:
On Sunday, November 2, 2014 4:31:36 PM UTC-6, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

But if it keeps one direction pointed towards Earth, then it has to roll
- one rotation per orbit. Which means the solar panels have to be
steerable to some extent for maximum power.

I'd have to watch a few full passes to see.. They have multiple
cameras aimed in different directions, so I'm not sure if they
actually roll once an orbit or not. For some reason, I'm thinking
they don't.. Mainly because I don't recall the shuttle as rolling
during orbits. They always flew upside down and maybe even backwards
in orbit, with the cargo bays aimed at the planet. I think anyway..
I'd have to look into that more. Some cameras seem to aim forward,
and some backwards like you are watching out the back of an old nine
passenger station wagon. :|



Which means it rolls once per orbit. Otherwise it wouldn't be able to
keep the same side facing the earth.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry, AI0K

==================

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 6:51:50 PM UTC-6, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

Which means it rolls once per orbit. Otherwise it wouldn't be able to
keep the same side facing the earth.



I'll take you all's word for it.. I was pondering it as you
would a matchbox car rolling across a globe.. ??
If it's rolling, it must be real slow about it, as it's not
really detectable on the cameras.

wrote in news:1577cbdf-79d6-47c9-a8a5-
:

If it's rolling, it must be real slow about it, as it's not
really detectable on the cameras.


That could be a perspective thing, because the drift you'd see is the same
drift a brain will expect if it tries to point one part 'up' with respect to
Earth. While the brain lockes on to that, it won't see the drift in sun angle
any different from how it looks on Earth. It may be that despite happenign a
lot more times per day, this is a psychological benefit to astronauts, and
may be one reason for the decision to do it that way. Other schemes may be
more disorienting. An astronaut at rest, looking out of the biggest window up
there, can feel like they're flying in a fairly conventional way. At least,
all the ones I've heard speak of it say it feels very restful, natural, and
it's apparently a popular place to be.

On 11/3/2014 12:07 PM, wrote:
On Sunday, November 2, 2014 6:51:50 PM UTC-6, Jerry Stuckle wrote:

Which means it rolls once per orbit. Otherwise it wouldn't be able to
keep the same side facing the earth.



I'll take you all's word for it.. I was pondering it as you
would a matchbox car rolling across a globe.. ??
If it's rolling, it must be real slow about it, as it's not
really detectable on the cameras.


Take an experiment. Go to your dining room table, opposite the door to
the kitchen. Face the table (and the kitchen door).

Now, walk around the table, trying to keep facing the table without
rotating your body. You can't do it.

The ISS is the same. You don't see the rotation because the ISS is
stationary (rotation-wise) relative to the earth, and you are observing
the earth. But if the cameras were pointed into space, you would see
the stars move as the ISS rotates.

The moon is the same way. It makes a complete rotation once every
orbit, thereby keeping the same face pointed at the earth.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle

==================

On 11/3/2014 12:19 PM, Jerry Stuckle wrote:
The ISS is the same. You don't see the rotation because the ISS is
stationary (rotation-wise) relative to the earth, and you are observing
the earth. But if the cameras were pointed into space, you would see
the stars move as the ISS rotates.

As I read this and pictured cameras pointed to the earth as the "space"
station orbits the earth while ignoring the vastness of *space*, it
seems to be that humanity is obsessed with selfies.

--

Rick

On 11/3/2014 2:57 PM, rickman wrote:
On 11/3/2014 12:19 PM, Jerry Stuckle wrote:
The ISS is the same. You don't see the rotation because the ISS is
stationary (rotation-wise) relative to the earth, and you are observing
the earth. But if the cameras were pointed into space, you would see
the stars move as the ISS rotates.

As I read this and pictured cameras pointed to the earth as the "space"
station orbits the earth while ignoring the vastness of *space*, it
seems to be that humanity is obsessed with selfies.


LOL!

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry, AI0K

==================