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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Peter McGoran

SpaceX launch: Here's when you might see NASA shuttle in the sky on Saturday

Sky-gazers will have a second chance to witness history this Saturday, as SpaceX and NASA prepare for the second attempt at sending their Crew Dragon shuttle into space.

On Wednesday evening, NASA and SpaceX prepared to launch two astronauts into space, with the aim of sending them to the International Space Station.

However, about 20 minutes before the launch, they made the call to postpone it due to weather issues.

The launch was set to mark the first time in 9 years that a space shuttle with astronauts in it had been launched from the US.

The astronauts set for the journey are Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.

Now, NASA and SpaceX will attempt a second launch of the rocket this weekend, on Saturday, May 30 .

All being well, the shuttle will take off from its base in Florida at 3.22pm (EST), which is 8.22pm in the UK.

But, due to the fact that it will still be very bright in the UK at that time, sky-gazers in this part of the world will not be able to see it just after its launch.

However, astronomers believe we may have the opportunity to see it from the skies on subsequent orbits.

Astronomy website MeteorWatch.org have shared an update of when people in the UK will be able to see the shuttle in orbit.

On their website, they said: "After lift off, you may be able to see the Crew Dragon spacecraft on its first orbit passing over the United Kingdom. An unmissable and historic sight!

"Unlike the earlier scrubbed launch on Wednesday, you won’t see the craft over the UK 15 – 20 minutes later, but you may be able to see it pass over the UK/ Europe around 22:15 UK time the same evening."

So for those looking to see the shuttle, just after 10pm in UK time is your best bet!

Meteor Watch have also shared information on how best to see the spacecraft from the sky, but have warned that it may be a challenge to see it in more northern parts of the UK - including in Northern Ireland.

"You will only need your eyes and to know when and what direction to look in. The pass will be very low in the sky near the horizon and will be a challenge to spot. It may be too low to be visible in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.

"This will be the only time we will be able to see the spacecraft fly over before docking the following day."

What will we see?

"As the Spacecraft passes over the UK we may see just the one or a collection of objects looking like bright stars moving across the sky. The craft should be bright enough to follow once you catch a glimpse of it as it speeds toward the  International Space Station  for its rendezvous."

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