Topic: Lakebed runways and Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 09-21-2021 12:49 AM
STS-3 Columbia landed on lakebed Runway 17 at White Sands Missile Range on March 30, 1982. The post-landing ferry flight back to Kennedy Space Center was a week later.
With Space Shuttle Columbia mounted firmly atop, NASA's modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 905 kicks up clouds of gypsum dust as it lifts off Northrup Strip at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on April 6, 1982 to ferry Columbia back to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
But that was not the only time that a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying an orbiter had to use a lakebed runway.
STS-4 Columbia landed at Edwards AFB on July 4, 1982. After the landing, the new orbiter Challenger was unveiled shortly before it began its ferry flight to KSC. President Ronald Reagan was at the ceremony, and was speaking to the crowd when he announced that the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with Challenger was taking off. The STS-4 Columbia crew, Ken Mattingly and Hank Hartsfield, were also on stage with the President.
Columbia had landed on concrete Runway 22, so NASA 905 with Challenger had to take off from one of the nearby lakebed runways at Edwards.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 09-29-2021 12:15 AM
There were three orbiters at Edwards AFB on that day: Columbia, Challenger and Enterprise.
Is there a photo that shows Columbia and 905/Challenger in the same shot?
mmcmurrey Member
Posts: 181 From: Austin, TX, USA Registered: Jun 2012
posted 09-29-2021 10:47 AM
quote:Originally posted by LM-12: NASA 905 with Challenger had to take off from one of the nearby lakebed runways at Edwards.
I don't know what your second photo is trying to enlighten us on but that is not a caption of a take off on a dry lake bed. For one, compare the dust from engine exhaust at White Sands vs the Edwards photo.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 869 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 09-29-2021 10:03 PM
I have never seen a photo of Challenger/905 with Columbia or Enterprise from July 4, 1982. I remember watching on the news President Reagan doing his speech with the STS-4 crew and then giving the go ahead to 905 to take off. 905/Challenger did a pass by for the President and then off on its way east.
oly Member
Posts: 1293 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-30-2021 01:49 AM
Holloman Air Force Base have some images of the shuttle, including this image of the Space Shuttle Columbia being hoisted into place on the SCA by cranes at White Sands Northrop Strip.
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 09-30-2021 06:24 AM
A few more photos and a video clip here on Twitter.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-03-2021 12:06 AM
John Young in Shuttle Training Aircraft (NASA 946) was flying landing approaches to Runway 17 and Runway 22 around the time of the STS-4 de-orbit burn.
The T-38 chase plane pilots for the landing were Guy Gardner and Jerry Ross.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-03-2021 06:23 PM
From a Dryden official speaking to the crowd at the ceremony:
Senior pilot F. Fulton of the Dryden Flight Research Facility is the pilot of the 747 ... Immediately following the takeoff of the 747 with the Challenger on top, pilot Fulton will circle the area moving over the general viewing sight on the east side of the lake, then come from my left to right over the lake, dip the wings in a Presidential salute, and then fly to the Johnson Space Center at Ellington Air Force Base in Texas. Following an overnight stop, and a very gala reception for the STS-4 crew, the Challenger atop the 747 will depart tomorrow morning for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Then on July 15th or 16, the Columbia will be mated to the 747 and it will depart for the Kennedy Space Center with a midpoint stop at Dias Air Force Base.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3609 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-06-2021 10:39 PM
Here is a head-on view of NASA 905 with Challenger taking off from one of the lakebed runways at Edwards AFB on July 4, 1982.
oly Member
Posts: 1293 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-07-2021 12:59 AM
Video of both Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in formation over the Edwards dry lakebed.
oly Member
Posts: 1293 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-08-2021 11:27 PM
Scott Manley released this video "How NASA Learned To Fly The Space Shuttle Like A Glider" that has some great shots of the lakebed landings and the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
posted 09-21-2021 12:49 AM
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