Posted: 2/20/2008 4:33:59 AM EDT
|
Engines have fired. It's coming home. about 30 min to go. NASA TV ETA: pics of when it took off.  
|
"NASA wanted Atlantis back as soon as possible to clear the way for the Navy to shoot down a dying spy satellite on the verge of smashing into Earth with a load of toxic fuel. The missile could be launched as early as Wednesday night, from a warship in the Pacific." |
go to NASA link NOW I can SEE it coming in!!! |
I was just looking at the Cape from Google Earth. When did Disney build the cruise ship terminal at the West turn basin in Canaveral inlet? I used to camp there and fish about 20 years ago. Was a good spot to watch the Shuttle take off from atop a dirt pile that used to be there. I wonder if that bar is still there across the basin towards Fl Rock's facility. Was a rough joint back then, mostly shrimpers hanging out but we always had a good time there. |
Here you go, from the NASA flight planning system:  Notice the tight turn over KSC... and the insane glide path angle... like an engine-out combat approach  
|
East where did you get those screen shots? Are you at NASA? |
|
I was in DC last week and went to the Air and Space Museum where they have a shuttle and I was BLOWN AWAY how big that damn thing is! it's GINORMOUS! I thought they were maybe 2/3's that size or maybe not quite that. I have always been a shuttle fan but frankly, I'd become quite jaded about it, like a lot of other people but seeing one in person, up close was amazing. what an amazing piece of technology. It was humbling that our men and women ride that monster to orbit and back again and again. it was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. |