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Author
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Topic: Shuttling shuttles: 747 and orbiter land together?
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Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 07-16-2007 09:48 PM
   
Now here's a question I have always wondered: when the Shuttle is shuttled across the country on the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft do they land together or do they separate and land individually? |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 07-16-2007 09:48 PM
They land together. On the east side of the Shuttle Landing Facility the Mate/Demate Device separates the orbiter from the 747. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-16-2007 10:28 PM
You can see pictures of the SCA/orbiter stack landing in Florida from Atlantis' return after STS-117 in this recent thread: STS-117: Atlantis Heads Back to Florida |
Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 07-17-2007 03:58 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
You can see pictures of the SCA/orbiter stack landing in Florida from Atlantis' return after STS-117 in this recent thread: STS-117: Atlantis Heads Back to Florida
Thanks for your responses the minute I saw the image I realized I had seen it before but it brings me another ( Dumb ) question. I have read that the Shuttle flies like a house brick but are the shuttles flight surfaces used during the landing or are they set neutral.
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mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-17-2007 09:19 AM
The "flies like a brick" statement refers to it's rapid rate of descent...much more rapid than most aircraft or gliders. However, the aerodynamic surfaces do work and are employed, as the commander lands under manual control. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 07-17-2007 01:27 PM
The flight surfaces are used just like a normal airplane when landing - but landing much faster and comes down a lot steeper.If they weren't used, then yes, it would land with the gracefulness of a falling brick....and couldn't be used again.  Tom |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-17-2007 03:14 PM
In case it is what you were thinking, the flight surfaces are only used during landing, and not during launch. |
lewarren
Member Posts: 269
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 07-17-2007 04:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Max Q:
I have read that the Shuttle flies like a house brick but are the shuttles flight surfaces used during the landing or are they set neutral.
Do you mean landings while attached to the 747-SCA? In this case, I believe the aero surfaces of the orbiter are locked and control is the sole responsibility of the 747-SCA. |
Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 07-17-2007 07:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by lewarren:
Do you mean landings while attached to the 747-SCA? In this case, I believe the aero surfaces of the orbiter are locked and control is the sole responsibility of the 747-SCA.
Yes that is what I mean thankyou. Cheers
Carey |
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