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Student Worksheet 7.1
Using the Student Map

This slider map is used to display the shuttle's ground track for a given orbit.

If you know the longitude of the descending node for a particular orbit, you can see the locations on the world map the shuttle will fly directly over during that orbit. 

Procedure:
1. Line up the equator of the plastic orbit overlay with the equator of the world map.

2. You will need to slide the overlay so the descending node of the ground track (longitude of where the ground track crosses the equator from North to South) matches the descending node of the orbit you are interested in (see figure on next page).

3. For example, suppose the descending node for orbit 115 is 76.61ºW.

4. Line up the descending node for orbit 115 (line up the descending node of the ground track as close to 76.61ºW as you can).

Note: Check to make sure the descending node on the overlay is placed at the correct longitude, and that the dotted line lies on the equator. Now that the slider map is aligned properly, use the plastic runners (or another method) to secure the overlay.

The slider map can now be used to determine where the shuttle will pass during this orbit. 

10/29/96 Page 7.21