STS -126 Updates

[JAFO78]

For updates of STS 126 go here..


http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

[JAFO78]

Endeavor has returned back to earth via Edwards AFB. 52nd landing at Edwards, Shuttle to return to Florida via piggy back on 747 at a cost of $1.8 Million.

Welcome Home, and job well done.

[tarheel gumby]

A BIG "Bravo Zulu" to the Crew of Endeavor for a job well done. :clap:

[SJFedor]

Endeavor has returned back to earth via Edwards AFB. 52nd landing at Edwards, Shuttle to return to Florida via piggy back on 747 at a cost of $1.8 Million.

Welcome Home, and job well done.

Eh, that's a deal. Cost comparison, that's only....4 aircraft for us.

[JAFO78]

It will take two weeks to bring Endeavor back home to Florida.

The crew was to return to Houston tonight.

[Capt Rivera]

Good job California Wing!



http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123126136

"It is simply an outstanding job in support of this mission," said Col. Jerry Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander. "My hat is off to each of you and our whole team who worked so well with General Hogue and Colonel Edge in support of getting the shuttle here. It was simply awesome and a great reminder of what makes our country so special -- people like each of you working together to go beyond what we individually could accomplish. My thanks to the whole team."

The team included the total force.

"A picture perfect recovery of STS-126," said General Hogue. "The 52nd landing at Edwards was a true team effort. A Shuttle Recovery Dream Team represented the Total force: Active duty and Reserve members from both the Test Wing and Air Base Wing as well as a joint effort with US Army forces from Ft. Irwin, Navy Forces from China Lake, support from the Civil Air Patrol of California, AFNORTH and NORTHCOM."

[MIKE]

Merged.

[Wildblueflyer]

Here is a question for those of you fortunate enough to have toured the SCA.  Is the shuttle piloted when attached to the SCA?  I've read a second flight engineer is required for the 747 but nothing I've found indicates the shuttle is crewed.

[jimmydeanno]

You might find this article interesting.  It's from about 8 years ago, but it explains the process.

From the linked article below:

"During a ferry flight the shuttle is completely powered down and essentially inert. The spacecraft is empty and there is no way to separate the shuttle should something go wrong with the 747. "

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/discover_plane_001122.html

[Wildblueflyer]

Thanks! 

[desertengineer1]

THIS is really cool!



http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA911

[PHall]

The only times the shuttle was manned when it was on top of the 747 was when they were doing the drop tests with the Shuttle Enterprise.