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STS-133 astronaut Image 2011/03/02(UT)

Ralf Vandebergh
R.Vandebergh

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The image on the left side shows a part of the ISS with docked Space Shuttle Discovery in approach at a distance of still over 400 km.  On the Port side we see a bright illuminated Payload Bay Door from Discovery and the Shuttle Robotic Arm Canadarm-1 (SRMS). At this point, Canadarm-2 (SSRMS), is weakly illuminated visible on the other side near the Columbus Module. (the module itself is mainly in shade). At the end of the Arm, STS-133 astronaut Steve Bowen is performing a spacewalk and just pops into view here as a small spot. As the distance reduces, about 20 seconds later, the small spot of the astronaut has grown and looks better resolved. The apparent size of the spacewalker seems comparable with the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier (ELC) mounted on the truss. On the image we can also see the newly, during the mission installed ELC-4 on the Starboard 3 truss. Also the two armed Robot Dextre (Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), and the second Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) can be seen on the image.

 Ground-based Observation of STS-133,  EVA-2 spacewalker,  analysis

After almost exactly 2 years, another opportunity appeared, to capture a spacewalking astronaut from the ground.
In the years of experiences, I learned that a lot of factors are needed to have a chance to capture a spacewalker.
Aside from a favorable pass, clear weather with acceptable seeing and so on, mainly location and illumination of the
astronaut have to be favorable and that requires a lot of luck. In the 2009 image, it was a luck that the astronaut
was in front of an open structure on the Earth-facing side. Now was the luck, the astronaut was mounted on
the SSRMS or Canadarm 2 and was maneuvering freely in the direction of the Columbus Laboratory for tasks;

At the moment of pass, Steve Bowen just arrived near the outer edge of the Columbus module after a ride on
Canadarm 2, and he came from installing a camera and removing a thermal blanket on the Robot Dextre.
The first task he had when he arrived (for second time) at the Columbus lab,  was removing the portable foot 
restraint to install it on the zenith-side of the module. The other spacewalker, Alvin Drew was just about ready
recharging O2 inside the Quest Airlock and would leave it a short time after the pass.
  
On the ground-based image at the left you can see the sunlight shining on the Japanese Kibo Lab, you see the same
in the Helmet-cam view of spacewalker Bowen. Further obvious in the ground-based shot is that the Columbus
Laboratory itself is during this pass almost completely invisible, and is probably hidden behind the shadow of
the Shuttle or other big structure of the Station. You see that also in the Helmet-cam shot.
The screenshot from Bowens Helmet-cam was made just a few minutes before the pass over here. in the
meantime, the astronaut has moved just a little closer to the Lab.





Close-up spacewalking STS-133 astronaut on Robotic Arm
Recently improved processing techniques reveal a never before seen clear view of Astronaut Steven Bowen riding on the 
ISS Canadarm-2 (SSRMS) while moving into the direction of the Columbus Laboratory. These images were taken during
the second EVA of the mission and also the last EVA performed by a mission with Space Shuttle Discovery and the
last but five EVA performed by Shuttle astronauts.



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[Ralf Vandebergh:Neighbourhood of Maastricht Netherlands]

ALPO-Japan Latest Oplanets Section	2011/03/08	[STS-133 Discovery Waste Water Dump, one day before landing]
	2011/02/18	[ISS]