STS-107 Accident Investigation Ground Track

Summary, and Sighting Data

Based on the Rev 15 Master Time Line

(Baselined, 03/10/03, 08:00 pm)

and Sighting Data Catalogued by the JSC Emergency Operations 

March 13, 2003
Explanation of Ground Track & Events Summa

• GPS Ground Track Data Source: STS-107 GPS State Vector

• Event Time Line Source: STS-107 Accident Investigation Master Timeline (Ba

Revision 15, dated 03/10/03 08:00 pm CST, from the Integrated Time Line Team

• GPS-derived Latitudes and Longitudes are plotted on the map at 0.96 second tim

although there are numerous data dropouts. The symbol used for points from the 

data file is a red dot. Thirty-two seconds of down list data have been recovered fr

Loss-of-Signal period, including some GPS data. The five data points from this p

indicated by turquoise dots.

• The time tags of events from the Master Time Line sometimes fall between traje

points, and in some cases they occur during GPS data dropouts. In these cases th

the event is indicated by a blue dot.

• Explanation of the contents of Event Note Boxes:

• Grey Header – Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) of the event and the Event S

Number from the Master Time Line (in parentheses)

• Geodetic Latitude and W. Longitude of the event (red dots only) in decima

• Event description and remarks from the Master Time Line (augmented by 

required)

• Geodetic Altitude (H, ft) & Mach Number (Mach), interpolated when nec

• Some nominal events have been intentionally omitted.
Explanation of Ground Track & Events Summary (co

• For events that cover a range of times, or have a range of uncertainty greater than on

time tag, the time in the header is the center of the time span, followed by the commen

parentheses. For example, the time in the header for event 100 is shown as “14:00:04 

The entire range of times is given in the note box text just before the event description

from previous versions of the ground track/time line maps, which put the earliest time 

header.

• Post Loss-Of-Signal Ground Track Data Source: The Descent Analysis Group (DM4

ballistic trajectory for a hypothetical object with a Ballistic Number of 220.0 lb/ft2. Th

propagated from 13:59:37.00 GMT to ground impact at 14:03:34 GMT in Louisiana. 

steps are shown. The symbol used for post-LOS trajectory data is a yellow dot. An up

reference trajectory is pending.

The hypothetical post-LOS ground track is used here as a reference to locate post-LOS 

and visual sighting data on the map background. It must be emphasized that the post-

is provided as a reasonable visual reference only, and does not represent the actual traj

known piece of the vehicle.
Explanation of Ground Observer Sighting Da

• The location of a ground observer is indicated by a turquoise triangle.

• Sighting location note box headers contain the NASA sighting number and the ob

name (i.e. EOC2-4-0064 Fairfield CA). The NASA sighting number stands for “ 

Operations Center,” the date the sighting was recorded (Feb 4th), and the record nu

sighting (64th sighting recorded).

• Sighting note boxes also contain the Latitude and Western Longitude of the obse

Acquisition-Of-Sighting (AOS) and Loss-Of-Sighting (LOS) times (GMT). AOS 

times do not represent horizon break, but are the actual beginning and ending time

observer’s video coverage.

• For each sighting, the period of observation is indicated on the map by a colored 

bounded by the lines-of-sight from the observer to the ground track at AOS and LO

• When colored regions overlap, one color overlays the other, but the AOS or LOS 

of the underlying region is indicated by a thick line of the underlying color.

• In selected cases AOS or LOS points associated with specific sightings are labele

boxes. This is done for clarity when needed, usually if the sighting location does n

the same map with its AOS or LOS point.

• The post-LOS maps show the locations of four sightings that occurred after Loss

with the vehicle, when no GPS ground track data were available. Sighting lines-of

shown with respect to the hypothetical reference post-LOS ground track (yellow d
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Entry Interface to Coastal Crossing
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Approaching the Coast
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing the California Coast
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing California
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing from California to Nevada
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing Nevada and Utah
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Close-In View of Debris Sightings 10 Through 
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing Arizona
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing New Mexico
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing North Texas
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Crossing Texas to Loss of Signal
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Close-In View of Events Near Loss of Signal (73
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Close-In View of Post-LOS Events (98-107) – Reference 
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Close-In View of Post-LOS Events (108-110) - Referenc
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Post-Loss of Signal Sightings - Reference Traject
Based on Master Time Line Rev 15, 03/10/03

Reference Trajectory from Texas to Louisian