Atlantis less than an hour to de-orbit burn...

[petermcleland]

They are making a decision on this burn at about 13:10.

NASA TV:-

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

Use Windows Media Player as your Alternate Viewing Option.

[petermcleland]

Safely down and great to watch

[Rick Piper]

Hi Peter

That was good to watch.

was a bit worried when they kept saying shuttle is low

amazing how fast it lost the speed on approach too

Top viewing for sure

Regards
Rick

[petermcleland]

Yes Rick,

I got slightly apprehensive when "Slightly low at 180" and "Slightly low at 90" were called...Especially as on the previous three shuttle landings "ON at" both was called

That 1 hour gliding plunge from de-orbit burn to touchdown must be the most precise, gripping and dangerous hour in the whole history of aviation. I just love to watch and marvel at it The speed reduction in the last 30 minutes from Mach 25.0 as the atmosphere is entered to the 195 knots IAS touchdown is awe inspiring

[Chris Trott]

Just something to bear in mind - "Slightly Low" is relative. When we're talking the shuttle, then we're talking less than 1/2 of a degree low (or something like 10 feet). Being off this much will not result in any adjustments as the amount of energy lost in getting back "on path" will be more than just flaring earlier to bring it back then.

[Chris Trott]

Oh, forgot, this is also the group that docks points for every inch off of of centerline you are at wheel stop and considers touching down more than a foot or two off centerline to be an "unacceptable" landing.

[FlyTexas]

Flying the Shuttle in the freeware space-sim 'Orbiter' gave me a whole new appreciation for landing the Shuttle. Once I muffed the deorbit burn and was not even able to make it all the way to Florida. I had to set her down in Cuba. It was a pretty landing though.

Brian