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Author
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Topic: STS-116: Discovery landing
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-21-2006 11:00 AM
   
Commander Mark Polansky and his crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery will complete their 13-day mission to the International Space Station Friday, Dec. 22. NASA will choose one of three potential landing sites based on weather conditions.The different shuttle landing opportunities are (all times Eastern): - Kennedy Space Center, Fla.: 3:56 p.m. or 5:32 p.m.
- Edwards Air Force Base, Calif: 5:27 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8:36 p.m.
- White Sands Space Harbor, N.M.: 5:27 p.m. or 7:02 p.m.
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MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-22-2006 06:36 AM
I just saw on the local news here in Houston that if the shuttle makes the second landing at KSC it will travel about 20 miles north of Houston at 4:16 PM (Central time). Unfortunately it is very cloudy and rainy here, but the news said we should be able to hear the sonic boom even if we can't see it. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 10:34 AM
There's a not a cloud in the sky at present from where we are in Houston (near JSC), but it doesn't look good weather-wise for a KSC landing today... |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-22-2006 11:11 AM
I knew I'd get caught on the bad weather forecast; should have gone outside to look before speaking. But it's probably all for naught. |
Michael Davis
Member Posts: 528
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-22-2006 11:59 AM
Yep, a perfect day in Houston and my balcony faces north...a perfect view. So of course they'll land 1500 miles to the west of me... |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 12-22-2006 12:17 PM
I just tried to catch the Shuttle as it was predicted to pass overhead here in Paris this evening but somehow I missed it. Maybe the orbit has changed from that shown on Heavens-Above as they prepare for landing.Instead 10 minutes later I caught the ISS coming over just as predicted. Here's a rushed attempt to catch it on camera:  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 01:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.: 3:56 p.m.
Due to unstable weather conditions (rain showers in the area) at KSC, NASA has waived the first attempt at landing in Florida. |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-22-2006 01:31 PM
Next chances are:Edwards - 3:19 de-orbit burn; 4:27 landing White Sands - 3:20 de-orbit burn; 4:27 landing Kennedy - 3:26 de-orbit burn; 4:32 landing Times are CST. Hoping for a Kennedy landing - it will pass directly over my house! Cloudy and rainy but I like to hear that BOOM BOOM! ------------------
"I am sui generis; just leave it at that." - Huey P. Long |
OV-105
Member Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 12-22-2006 01:31 PM
I think they are going to be going to Eddie today. Weather is real nice out here on the desert right now. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 01:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by OV-105:
I think they are going to be going to Eddie today. Weather is real nice out here on the desert right now.
Though anything can happen, weather at EAFB is currently red (i.e. "no go") due to predicted high cross winds. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 03:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif: 5:27 p.m.
Due to unpredictable and high cross winds at Edwards, the first attempt at landing in California has been waived. |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 12-22-2006 03:22 PM
Looks like a "Go" for Kennedy.------------------
Mike |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 03:49 PM
Discovery will flyover Houston (about 20 miles north of the city) at 4:16 p.m. CST. We will be attempting to catch it by camera and record its sonic boom as well. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 04:21 PM
No luck seeing Discovery but as luck would have it, just as I turned off my recorder, the sonic boom was clearly audible. Boom! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 04:32 PM
Home for the holidays!  Space shuttle Discovery, the crew of STS-116 and ISS Expedition 13/14 Flight Engineer Thomas Reiter are safely home, having touched down at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida at 5:32 p.m. EST at a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes. [Edited by Robert Pearlman (December 22, 2006).] |
Michael Davis
Member Posts: 528
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-22-2006 04:46 PM
I heard the double sonic boom as well. But much later than I anticipated. I never saw the shuttle though. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 12-22-2006 06:43 PM
What a great mission and a great year for our space program!Way to go NASA and contractor team - great job! Tim |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-22-2006 07:01 PM
Has anyone heard yet when the crew will arrive at Ellington (presumably tomorrow Nov 23)? |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-22-2006 07:26 PM
It was too cloudy to see Discovery pass over, but I did hear the sonic booms! Music to my ears. My family and I were eating at a Chilis and at 4:15 I excused myself and went outside. I waited for about five minutes, heard the booms, and went back in to finish my meal. My wife was understanding. :-)------------------
"I am sui generis; just leave it at that." - Huey P. Long |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 07:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MCroft04:
Has anyone heard yet when the crew will arrive at Ellington (presumably tomorrow Nov 23)?
As mentioned both on the front page of the site and on the Sightings calendar, crew return is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST on December 23 in Hangar 276. Note: Gate 18 (located at Brantly and Highway 3, near Hangar 276) will open at 3:30 p.m. and is the only entrance available for this event. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-22-2006 07:55 PM
I don't understand something. They go through great pains to not fly it through wet weather back from Edwards when it lands there. They keep the rotating service structure closed over it when it's on the pad to keep the rain off it.There it sits on the shuttle landing strip in the pouring rain! I thought that rain was damaging to the shuttle??? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-22-2006 08:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ejectr:
I thought that rain was damaging to the shuttle???
Water (rain) by itself, is not damaging to the shuttle's exterior services. The tiles themselves are waterproofed to an extent. Rain is a concern during launch and landing because of the velocities involved. NASA does not want to launch a vehicle with wet tiles either, because when they get into orbit the water can freeze and then you run the risk that the tiles will debond. It takes time to thoroughly dry a wet orbiter. Time that can eat into your turnaround to launch again. In the case of Discovery however, its next launch is not until Fall 2007. As such, it wasn't as much a concern today that it should sit in the rain after landing. |
WSTFphoto
Member Posts: 70
From: Las Cruces, NM, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 12-22-2006 08:40 PM
It was an honor to spend the day on station at WSSH (NOR). We were ready. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-23-2006 06:23 AM
Thanks for that explanation, Robert. I had an inkling that it had something to do with tile damage and ice before or during flight, but couldn't see the connection after flight as with a trip on the 747 through the rain.Now I know, thanks. [Edited by ejectr (December 23, 2006).] |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-23-2006 07:57 AM
With Discovery touching down right at "sun-set", would this be considered a "night landing"?
Thanks. |
Spaceflyer
Member Posts: 194
From: Nauheim, Germany
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 12-23-2006 08:15 AM
No, sunset plus 15 minutes, than it will be considered a night landing.
Gerhard |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-23-2006 08:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Rain is a concern during launch and landing because of the velocities involved.
Not sure velocity is as much of an issue on landing as the impact of rain on the glide ratio - although, given that it is not flown at "best glide" this is also probably not that significant. By the time the shuttle reaches cloudbase it has decelerated significantly. Icing on the wings could be a risk but as the precipitation level is <10k ft (I presume) and the shuttle is rapidly descending into warmer air the risk is mitigated. Paul |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-23-2006 11:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom:
With Discovery touching down right at "sun-set", would this be considered a "night landing"?
I don't know if it'll be "officially" considered a night landing, but I was watching when the word was sent up that touchdown time would be right at sunset. Commander Polansky replied something like, "Hey, I'll finally get to log a night landing." CAPCOM Ken Ham replied, "We'll give it to you." As I said, though, I don't know if that'll count as an *official* night landing, but I did get a chuckle out of the conversation. Regardless, it was still an absolutely gorgeous landing. jodie |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 12-23-2006 08:08 PM
It was a day landing by NASA's 15-minute post and pre-sun rule, as mentioned above.
[Edited by Ben (December 23, 2006).]
[Edited by Ben (December 23, 2006).] |
Ben Watson
Member Posts: 24
From: Jackson, MS USA
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 12-23-2006 11:01 PM
It is my understanding that the pilot traditionally flies the shuttle around the Heading Alignment Circle (HAC) and then the commander takes over for the final approach and landing. The purpose apparently is to allow the pilot to get a little "stick time." However, during the approach yesterday, it was specifically remarked that Commander Polansky was flying the shuttle through the HAC. Does anyone know why Pilot Oefelein did not perform this manuever? |
OV-105
Member Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 12-23-2006 11:03 PM
Speaking of night landings, anyone know who has the most? I would think there are a lot with 1 maybe 2. Also which shuttle has had the nost night landings. I bet someone has this info. |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-23-2006 11:56 PM
Eileen Collins last 2 flights that she commanded (STS-93 and STS-114) were night landings.
Also, Brent Jetts last 2 flights (STS-97 and STS-115) landed at night.Columbia 5
Challenger 1
Discovery 7
Atlantis 4
Endeavour 4
[Edited by Tom (December 24, 2006).] |
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