SimonShuttle - 18/10/2005 5:16 AM
Couple of things of note. This was an Orbiter that flew herself from launch to landing, even the US Orbiters need a helping hand on landing, so in some ways this was a cleverer Shuttle?
The landing seemed very controlled, slower and softer?
Less people in mission control?
Launch seemed a lot more powerful, longer SRB trail?
The US Orbiters have more flight experience, that counts for a lot more.
Slower and softer as no SSMEs on a Burn, just two oversized OMS Pods, and no cargo. A lot less heavy.
Longer flume as it was a lot more coming out the bottom end (SRBs - but not solids) - the ET powered those as we as some more engines on the bottom of the tank I believe.
