karn (06/27/82)
I've just come up with a sketchy orbit model for STS-4. Because of the very low inclination (28.5 degrees, equal to the latitude of Cape Canaveral), the maximum elevation above the horizon for STS-4 in New Jersey (latitude approximately 41 degrees) is about 3 to 4 degrees. It will come above our horizon only during the morning passes after the sun has already come up; therefore, optical sighting will be impossible this far north. I guess we'll have to wait for the polar launches from Vandenburg before we can see anything. Phil