|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Vandenberg space shuttle abort landing sites
|
Headshot
Member Posts: 864
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
|
posted 12-22-2016 04:37 PM
   
Did the U.S. Air Force ever establish emergency/abort landing sites for space shuttles launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base? |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
|
posted 12-22-2016 05:31 PM
Easter Island was one I remember. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 12-22-2016 07:55 PM
The polar orbit requirement of the DoD was a major driver in the original design in the space shuttle itself. Glynn Lunney mentioned some of the issues with Easter Island as an abort site in his NASA Oral history. A very sketchy proposition, to say the least.The Air Force also intended to have the ability for a single-orbit flight to deploy clandestine payloads without overflying the Soviet Union. This requirement led to the large delta wings, to allow the crossrange to land back at Vandenberg, which would have rotated some 1000 or more miles to the east during the brief flight. Another concern was the need for security at the abort site, as there might still be a top-secret asset in the payload bay. NASA also considered the ability for the SCA to get in and ferry the orbiter back out. |
mikej
Member Posts: 481
From: Germantown, WI USA
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 12-23-2016 06:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ronpur:
Easter Island was one I remember.
When I was a kid, I remember reading a novel (which Google reminds me was entitled Shuttle Down) regarding a shuttle which had an emergency landing on Easter Island. I really don't remember anything about it other that my synopsis above, but it does have 4 stars on Amazon. | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
