Space Shuttle To Launch TONITE 7:55EST

[MarkLawrence]

WX might be a little tricky - she might have to go to Edwards.

[Gerard]

WX might be a little tricky - she might have to go to Edwards.

Yup they changed the landing to Edwards 4:25PM EST

[G-BOAD]

Nice landing, but I am surprised at how late they put the gear down?
Welcome Home!

[MarkLawrence]

Now the game....what's the route back to Florida - when will it happen - you know airports all over the country will be checked by spotters!..LOL

[Gerard]

Nice landing, but I am surprised at how late they put the gear down?
Welcome Home!

Got caught up in football and totally forgot to tune in. Oh well.

[Gerard]

Now the game....what's the route back to Florida - when will it happen - you know airports all over the country will be checked by spotters!..LOL

They dont fly directly to Kennedy?

[PhilDernerJr]

Anyone have video of the landing?

[moose135]

They dont fly directly to Kennedy?

No, due to the weight and drag of the shuttle, as well as the lower altitudes they fly (the SCA has a ceiling of 15K ft with the shuttle aboard), they can't make it non-stop. With the shuttle aboard, they only have a range of about 1,000 miles.

[Matt Molnar]

[MarkLawrence]

Usually it's a 3 stop trip if I remember right - I know that normally Amarillo and/or Barksdale AFB are in there maybe PHX - Shannon who used to be pretty active here (if not still - haven't seen a post or a pic in quite a while) used to get it at AMA - AMA runway 4/22 is 13,502' - perfect for the long roll out. But - if weather/winds don't allow a routing - it might be delayed/re-routed.

[Derf]

After it stops, why is there so much heat rising from just in front of the vertical stab???

[moose135]

After it stops, why is there so much heat rising from just in front of the vertical stab???

It's not heat. They are venting toxic gases from the RCS and OMS systems.

[njgtr82]

Weather also factors into the routing back to Florida. Senga caught it last time so I'm sure he can chime in with routing information.

[Derf]

so they release the unused maneuvering fuel? Isint that contain Nitrogen pestroxide? sorry about spelling, do not want to look that up

[Matt Molnar]

so they release the unused maneuvering fuel? Isint that contain Nitrogen pestroxide? sorry about spelling, do not want to look that up

Yep. That's why no one goes near it for awhile after it lands.