From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!karn
Newsgroups: net.space
Title: STS-5 visibility
Article-I.D.: eagle.436
Posted: Sun Aug  1 15:49:01 1982
Received: Mon Aug  2 01:40:32 1982

I am wondering if anybody knows the sequence of events planned for
STS-5.  This is the first operational mission of the shuttle, and
the first to use a solid-fuel upper stage for the payloads (SBS-C
and a Telesat satellite).

I would expect that the exhaust plumes from the solid upper stages,
which use essentially the same fuel as the shuttle boosters, will
expand rapidly in vacuum and reflect sunlight.
If the upper stages are fired within view of an observer in
darkness, they should be very visible for a short time.

Phil