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[b]Space Cover 225: "Chasing" the Space Shuttle[/b] Those watching the Space Shuttle orbiters returning to earth on TV, would often notice small aircraft escorting them to safe touchdowns. These "escort" aircraft were NASA T-38 Talons, normally piloted by NASA Astronauts, and were called chase aircraft. During orbiter descents beginning at 40,000 feet, at least one T-38 chase plane visually checked the orbiter, while other chase aircraft provided live TV and photographic coverage of the approach and landings. For this week's Space Cover of the Week feature, I've presented six covers that were canceled for each of the Space Shuttle's first five landings: STS-1 through STS-5. And each cover was autographed by T-38 chase pilots and back-seaters. At the top are covers for STS-1's landing at Edwards AFB, CA, and also STS-2's landing there. The STS-1 cover was nicely autographed by nine T-38 chase pilots and back-seaters, including non-astronaut cameraman Dick Gray, who provided the TV images of the first landing of Columbia. The STS-2 cover is autographed by five astronaut chase pilots. [IMG]http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2323/13132186/23370140/407292324.jpg[/IMG] The STS-3 cover, canceled at White Sands Missle Range, NM, for the first and only Space Shuttle orbiter landing there, is autographed by the pilots of Chase 1, 2, 3 and 4, including non-astronaut Charlie Justiz. The STS-4 cover is autographed by two astronaut chase pilots, plus Justiz piloting the TV chase aircraft, and back-deater Pete Stanley providing TV coverage. [IMG]http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2323/13132186/23370140/407292358.jpg[/IMG] A second STS-4 cover is autographed by many of the STS-1 through STS-4 landing photographers. Finally, the STS-5 cover is nicely autographed by both Charlie Justiz, Chase 1 pilot, and Pete Stanley, Chase 1 cameraman. An earlier discussion about Space Shuttle chase pilots can be found here.
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