Space Shuttle Landing

[CaseyJr]

I was just sitting here wondering if those of you at WDW or in the Orlando area will be able to see any of the re-entry/landing in the morning? Our prayers go out to the crew and their families, wishing all a safe return.

My family witnessed the Columbia return, but didn't know what it was at the time. The sight that morning was one I will never forget: It was beautiful (of course, not knowing at the time that it was the shuttle), yet I knew it was something way out of the ordinary, while DH dismissed it as "something from the Air Force Base." I will never forget those moments.

 

[DisneyKevin]

The shuttle is supposed to land in FL at approximately 4:46am. It will be too dark to see anything.

Also the re-entry looks similar to a plane landing and is usually at a strip not readily accessible for public viewing. From what I understand, it's not as visually exciting as the lift off.

From what I hear, the weather looks good for a Florida landing, but they have also prepared the landing strip in California.

I live near Disney and we usualy can hear the sonic boom when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere as well as see the contrail during lift off.

Let's all keep good thoughts that they return safely.

 

[umaangel00]

I am praying that they all make is safely!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I wish them Godspeed for the landing. And prayers.

I'm up awake here in L.A. watching the Nasa channel waiting for the safe landing as I record it. I'm a huge space nut it seems. My husband and I were lucky enough to be able to watch a shuttle launch fairly close-up the last time we were in Florida in 1998.

I didn't know you could hear the boom as far away as Orlando.

 

[dbanzai]

Right now they are deciding whether to bring them in through the first window. If they decide on no-go, the second window today is closer to 6 AM, which may be a little lighter, but I would guess it would still be unlikely you could see it from Orlando. As said, if all goes well it's like a plane landing. It's not as spectacular as a shuttle launch.

 

[dbanzai]

First window is a no-go. The second window is now open for a 6:21AM landing.

 

[Firegoalie23]

during daylight hours, you CAN see the shuttle from orlando

 

[dbanzai]

Although the conditions currently look good, Mission Control has deemed the weather unstable and have scrubbed all possible landings for today.

 

[Tigger&Tink]

We will wish them LUCK for tomorrow,,


Tink

 

[CaseyJr]

I fell asleep in front of the TV watching the NASA channel, right about the time they announced the 1st no-go. DH woke me up around 7am, and my first words were: "Did the shuttle land safely?"

I guess what I meant about can you see the landing, is can you see the "plasma" trail (or whatever it's called)? Since the approach was so far south (Gulf of Mexico), I guessed there would be little chance that we could see it from N. LA. And, yes, I did wonder about the sonic boom, too. How far away can you hear it?

Sending Prayers and Pixie Dust your way, Discovery Crew!!

 

[dbanzai]

Discovery is home!

No chance to see it Orlando... Perhaps in Anaheim though.

 

[safetymom]

I am here in Anaheim and didn't see it. We were looking.

 

[Lynn4Mel]

Just watched it on tv and all I can say is WOW! Too bad the girls are still sleeping.

 

[fiveacesmmb]

So glad Discovery is home safely!!! Also heard next launch will be delayed because of Edwards landing. That might give me an opportunity to see it launch, as we will be at WDW 9/24 - 10/1. Crossing fingers now!!!!

 

[umaangel00]

All future launches have been scrubbed until they can figure out why the insulation or whatever it is keeps falling off.

 

[Ted and Holly]

All future launches have been scrubbed until they can figure out why the insulation or whatever it is keeps falling off.

Since the Shuttle is not an operational vehicle, there is no set flight schedule. The Shuttle is an experimental vehicle. This means that each flight yields test data that needs to be studied and any issues resolved before the next test. Technically, there have been no scrubbed launches or cancelled flights.

Ted

 

[CaseyJr]

We watched the landing and it was really neat! We dragged DS (10), who had fallen asleep in the den, into our room to watch it with us.