De-orbit Burn For Discovery Shuttle, Landing At 8:08 CT - - Watch The Link

Straight shot for KSC runway, but not ideal.

Fog and rain forecast is a bit tight, but it looks like it's going to Florida with a flyover of the west coast of Canada and across the center of the United States.
They still have the option to flag it off for the 3 chances at a California landing if weather is bad.

They need to get a go or no-go in 6 minutes for the burn to happen in 28 minutes.


Live video on the net:

www.nasa.gov...

Or turn on CNN........

GO for de-orbit burn at 7:02 CT...

It can only go to KSC runway 33 now, so look up if you live in the central US.

Everything seems OK, may they have a safe landing.

reply to post by anxietydisorder


Thanks for the heads up AD

I'm not in the orbital/flight path (see map here), and I'm always confused about which time zone I correspond to -- we don't change our time down here. Lessee...... U.S. sprang forward....... I think we're same as ET now.

You can also log onto www.heavens-above.com and type in your location and click on STS-131 for flyover data.

Discovery approaching flyover of Australia at this moment.

Btw that link there, › NASA TV Links for Employees (not available to general public)

Do NASA employees get to see a cockpit view?

reply to post by argentus


Thanks for the map, I'll post it up for everyone to see without going to the link.

Shuttle track:

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b5b2bd2c5aba.jpg[/atsimg]

It should look like a bright streak as it approaches the lower atmosphere, and then the double sonic booms over the southern states.

If you see it, let me know. I'm too far north to even get a look.

Just said on NASA tv......... 16,900 mph. Really scootin' along. Mach 24, 399,800 ft. altitude. Will intersect (flyover) with NE coast of N. America near Vancouver. 30 minutes away from touchdown. MARK!

[edit on 20/4/10 by argentus]

Discovery now over Vancouver area. 23 minutes to touchdown.

Discovery now over NW Nebraska; landing in about 18 minutes.

Wouldn't you just love to go from the west coast to Florida in about 30 minutes ?

We should all be so lucky to fly this way in the future...

reply to post by anxietydisorder


no kidding! weeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I think I'm waaay to far south to see Discovery; hopefully others here will get to see this historic flyover/landing.

Down to 7,000 mph now, crossing into above Georgia.

CNN has the shuttle up now as a bright spot in the sky, but they just cut to the volcano.

1 great space ship, or 17,000 grounded aircraft.
Where are their priorities

reply to post by anxietydisorder


NASA TV has Discovery in view and fills the screen. Clear view. Just now appears to be leveling out. 3 miles in altitude, 65 miles to go.


Discovery now decending 7 times steeping than commercial airline do on approach. 3500 feet.

[edit on 20/4/10 by argentus]

Poindexter makes a perfect touchdown.

He made it look like he does this every day.

Beautiful! touchdown! *whew* She's home safe & sound.

It amazes me how big it is.
But as a cargo carrier all 7 crew need to cram into that forward section.
You could probably put 60 seats in the aft and sell tickets for short orbital trip$.
And everyone gets an orange suit to take home......

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4050f44dd3e5.jpg[/atsimg]

And it huffs and puffs like a giant beast after it gets to the ground.
Not unlike a living thing after a strenuous workout.