How NASA Learned To Fly The Space Shuttle

[George K]

Link to video

Listen to the onboard audio at 9:30...

[89th]

That was a good video to watch, thanks! Funny that it was Fred Haise (aka Bill Paxton in Apollo 13) who was the pilot. Also interesting that the 3rd landing around 12:30 (where they lifted the nose up briefly after the rear wheels had touched down) saved the shuttle.

Two other thoughts.

First, this reminds me of a really in-depth magazine I read (I think by Nat Geo?) of the testing of the shuttle and the sheer number of moving parts, calculations, and actions that happen in the last 10 seconds of a shuttle countdown. It was really incredible.

Second, as you probably know, there was a russian shuttle program that is summarized here: https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-of-russian-abandoned-space-shuttles-by-ralph-mirebs-2015-6#the-abandoned-garage-also-called-a-hangar-is-located-on-a-site-that-belong-to-russias-space-launch-facility-called-baikonur-cosmodrome-where-rockets-are-still-launched-today-1

[George K]

@89th said in How NASA Learned To Fly The Space Shuttle:

https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-of-russian-abandoned-space-shuttles-by-ralph-mirebs-2015-6#the-abandoned-garage-also-called-a-hangar-is-located-on-a-site-that-belong-to-russias-space-launch-facility-called-baikonur-cosmodrome-where-rockets-are-still-launched-today-1

I knew the Buran was a shuttle knock-off, but I had no idea that it had actually gone into space and orbited, albeit unmanned.

[89th]

@george-k Me either! In mother russia, shuttle flies YOU!