KSC-07pd2692
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seated in the cockpit of the shuttle training aircraft, or STA, STS-120 Pilot George Zamka is ready to begin landing practice on NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway. A modified Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream II jet, the STA simulates an orbiter's cockpit, motion and visual cues and handling qualities. In flight, the STA duplicates the orbiter's atmospheric descent trajectory from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing on a runway. Melroy and other crew members are at Kennedy Space Center to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, which also includes a simulated launch countdown. Mission STS-120 is targeted for Oct. 23. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
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Details
NASA ID
KSC-07pd2692
Date Created
October 7, 2007
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL
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