How to Land the Space Shuttle from Space

Overview

• Objective: Land on the runway at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
• Current Situation: Orbiting over South America at 17,000 miles per hour.
• Challenge: Slowing down and aligning to a landing path without engines.

Energy and Fuel Considerations

• Launch: Uses significant fuel; large boosters and tanks expended.
• Remaining Engines: Only small orbital maneuvering engines are left.
• De-Orbit Burn: Slows shuttle by 225 miles/hour for atmospheric entry.

Atmospheric Entry

• Angle of Attack: 40 degrees to protect with heat shield.
• Protection: Silica tiles and reinforced carbon-carbon panels.
• Initial Entry Height: 400,000 feet and 5,000 miles from landing site.

Managing Descent

• Lift and Drag Control: Wings generate lift; bank angles control descent.
• Energy Management: Balance velocity and distance to avoid overshooting or falling short.
• Bank Angle Adjustments: Steeper angle for faster descent and deceleration.

Controlling Path and Speed

• S-Turns: Used to manage trajectory and speed by alternating bank angles.
• Re-Entry Flames: Plasma state of matter visible during re-entry.

Transition to Airplane Mode

• Speed Reduction: Nose down at 8,000 mph, switch to Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM) at 1,700 mph.
• Manual Control: Commander takes over, fly-by-wire system.
• Role of Crew: Commander flies, pilot assists.

Approach and Landing

• TAEM Guidance: Guides shuttle to align with runway.
• Flight Parameters: Steep 20-degree glide slope at 345 mph.
• Preflare Maneuver: Initiated at 2,000 feet to slow descent.
• Landing Sequence: Gear down at 300 feet, touch down at 225 mph.

Final Landing

• Drag Chute: Deployed upon touchdown.
• Timeline: One hour and five minutes from deorbit burn to landing.

Additional Notes

• Pilot’s Perspective: Night landing of STS-115.
• Control Details: HUD, speed brakes, and pilot communication during landing.

Conclusion

• Shuttle Landing Dynamics: Fast-paced and precise maneuvering required.
• Challenges: No engine power and rapid descent from cruising altitude to runway in a short time.