Well I'm awake on the westcoast and laptop warmed up. Weather looks good at KSC. I have NASA TV on and it's almost sunrise on the landing strip. I'm checking Flame Trench and Nasa landing blog. All looks go so far. The doors are closed on Shuttle Discovery. All switches are being thrown to landing postions. The training aircraft at KSC are up checking the weather. Deorbit starts around 7 AM with 8:14 AM landing at KSC. (time Central).
--4:05 AM PDT
The NASA landing blog is up and running at Landing Blog here. And the Flame Trench Via Florida Today.
--4:08 AM PDT
One hour to de-orbit burn. The Astronauts are drinking the sports drinks to give their bodies fuild. Weather might be in question due to some thunder storms but out of the 30 mile area so far.
--4:50 AM PDT
All Systems a go, just waiting on the weather. De-orbit in about 15 minutes. Over at Flame Trench photos of the landing site show overcast skies. Dosen't look so good on the weather for de-orbit. Update soon.
--4:55 AM PDt
OK for De-Orbit. Weather is within limits.
--5:08 AM PDT
Astronauts are strapped in and ready to de-orbit. Landing at 6:14 AM PDT.
Discovery has fired its Orbital Maneuvering System engines to slow the vehicle down so that it will drop out of orbit and begin the high-speed freefall back to Earth. The three-minute engine burn sets Discovery on an irreversible course for home.
They's comming home no backin' out now! Godspeed Discovery!
--5:12 AM PDT
De-orbit burn takes about 3 Minutes. Discovery is over the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra.
--5:15 AM PDT
De-Orbit Burn is done. Recovery team is driving to the landing pad.
--5:26 AM PDT
They should be feeling the heat as the friction is building up on reentry. The propellants on board are being let go.
--5:28 AM PDT
Mission control gives last landing condtions to Commander Lindsey.
--5:33 AM PDT
40 Minutes to touch down. Will be landing on runway 33.
--5:36 AM PDT
Five minutes to interface. 63 hundred miles to runway. 3 APU's are good to go too.
--5:41 AM PDT
1 minute to entry interface. 54 hundred miles to runway.
--5:43 AM PDT
Interface now and 30 minutes to touchdown.
Discovery is currently at an altitude of 108 statute miles and 6,300 miles from the runway. Today will be the 62nd landing of the shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.
--5:46 AM PDT
They are definatly feeling the atmoshpere now. I bet their bodies will start to feel the heavyness and the g's on their faces.
--5:48 AM PDT
Comming to the coast of Central America. APU's still good.
Discovery is now 4,600 miles to the runway, traveling at approximately mach 24.8.
Looks like they are switching to landing srips from 33 to 15 because of weather conditons.
--5:33 AM PDT
The course change whould mean instead of a right turn to approach it would be a left turn to approach. This is because of a small thunder cloud is building up on approach to 33.
--6:00 AM PDT
It will be 15 landing strip and 15 Minutes to touchdown at KSC. And they will be turning left on approach.
--6:03 AM PDT
Heading to Florida over the Gulf of Mexico.
--6:05 AM PDT
Just entering the Florida coast and 9 minutes to touchdown.
--6:06 AM PDT
21 Miles and Mach 4.5 now. In a few minutes the pilots camera will be active.
--6:08 AM PDT
Loose switch on Air data probe.
--6:09 AM PDT
5 Minutes to landing.
Discovery's current speed is Mach 6.2 (4,650 mph), 25 miles in altitude and 214 miles from the runway. Discovery is approaching Florida's southwestern coast. Nine minutes until touchdown.
Camera is ready and looking good. Discovery at Mach one now.
6:11 AM PDT
Booms are heard. Now at 3 Minutes to touchdown. 500 mph. On target.
6:13 AM PDT
420 MPH now. Fast approach and line up to runway now. Chase plane pics now.
6:14 AM PDT Runway in sight all good. Approach is good.
6:15 AM Here we are! Bird has landed. The Chute is out. Looking good! Great job you guys!
6:16 AM All stop at KSC. Just waiting to de-plane the bird. The exhaust fumes have to disapate before exit.
6:20 AM PDT
The Leeky APU was not a problem on landing.
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