Time for your regularly scheduled Shuttle Mission thread...

[Johnny Rico]

Re: Time for your regularly scheduled Shuttle Mission thread

Yep, I just awoke at about 7:10 CT and was shocked to already see the runway convoy headed out to the runway. And I know they only do that once de-orbit burn has occurred. I didn't expect it to come down so soon. I was thinking first landing attempt was an hour later than it actually was.

The shuttle did come down pretty much by the book. Didn't even flutter as it got close to the runway. Sometimes you get a little air cushion bufferings as it gets near the ground, and it looked like there wasn't any of that. I'd imagine the air was pretty still this morning.

 

[Mark de Vries]

Re: Time for your regularly scheduled Shuttle Mission thread

It was just after sunrise, so I guess it was pretty still. But all the same, I recall landings where the shuttle would bounce up again after main gear touchdown.

I was able to watch it from about three hours before deorbit burn, which I usually can't, so I enjoyed that.

 

[Johnny Rico]

Re: Time for your regularly scheduled Shuttle Mission thread

Mark de Vries said:
It was just after sunrise, so I guess it was pretty still. But all the same, I recall landings where the shuttle would bounce up again after main gear touchdown.

I was able to watch it from about three hours before deorbit burn, which I usually can't, so I enjoyed that.

Do you have HDNET? They carry the launches and landings in HD and in 5.1 surround sound. This mission's launch was a bit disappointing in the sound department. Didn't get the low LFE rumble that you usually get.

The landing was also a bit disappointing in the camera angles they had. I think though that depends on which end of the runway they come in on. They just had the shot from from down the runway looking toward the shuttle as it came in. In other landings they get shots from the VAB as it comes in over the swampy area just forward of the runway. I also don't recall seeing the underbelly shot as it flys overhead as it comes down either. Although I'm not sure. Have to play it back to see.

 

[Mark de Vries]

Re: Time for your regularly scheduled Shuttle Mission thread

I recall seeing some angled shots of the underbelly, but that was pretty early in the approach and I don't think it was shot with a runway camera.

Yes, I think it has to do with the direction of approach. Discovery's landing in November was a bit more interesting to watch.

The sonic booms were louder this time though, I thought.

Oh well, we don't have to wait very long for another chance to see a landing.