Wouldn't it be an appropriate thing to have NASA do some aerial photography of Atlantis as it lands to end its mission? I'm sure NASA could set up the flight paths of the chase planes so that they got very stunning views but kept the flight path safe for the vehicle.
Another issue is that there's no guarantee that the approach would be lighted. A daylight landing was one of the criteria for the very early flights.
Yes but this is the last mission ever ... I'm sure they could incorporate chase planes into the last mission as a sort of color guard (with photographic duties) into the flight ...
Quote from: Riley1066 on 06/01/2011 05:43 amWouldn't it be an appropriate thing to have NASA do some aerial photography of Atlantis as it lands to end its mission? I'm sure NASA could set up the flight paths of the chase planes so that they got very stunning views but kept the flight path safe for the vehicle.No, because there is no way for the chase planes to practice such maneuvers.
The SR-71 was used in the past.
Quote from: Jim on 06/01/2011 09:51 amQuote from: Riley1066 on 06/01/2011 05:43 amWouldn't it be an appropriate thing to have NASA do some aerial photography of Atlantis as it lands to end its mission? I'm sure NASA could set up the flight paths of the chase planes so that they got very stunning views but kept the flight path safe for the vehicle.No, because there is no way for the chase planes to practice such maneuvers.Practice during STA runs?Quote The SR-71 was used in the past.And T-38s. And I'm sure the T-38 chase planes used the STA as a training target.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:STS-3_landing.jpg
As psloss suggests, I don't think training is really the concern. The pilots they have are pros, and with the training they already have, should be able to fly a few hundred or a thousand feet abeam a shuttle on approach with no danger to either craft.They did photo-chase for the SCA as recently as STS-125 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17221.msg414674#msg414674) using a T-38, which I believe were also the jets chasing the shuttle in the early days of the program.
Amazingly soft landing by Young!I saw it live (on tv) when it happened.
Hello everybody,As it seems that several of you are close to NASA people (or at least closer than I am !) so I guess it is worth to say it... can anyone suggest the following to someone from NASA medias ?As the last shuttle mission approaches, it would be great to get new and unusual videos from NASA, like for example :- instead of static camera, to follow the launch preparations from a cameraman who would go with the astronauts from the elevator to the astrovan, inside it, and up to the whit room, with ambient sound ! previously recorded videos instead of live videos would also be great.- HD launch video from inside the cockpit, with ambient sound and astronauts live comms- shuttle landing in formation with 2 or 3 T-38 airplanes... could you imagine such an incredible scene as Atlantis touches down ?- videos from a T-38, as it was for STS-1... but in HD ! I wasn't born in 1981, I couldn't live this event live on TV, it would be an amazing shot for the final mission.I know these ideas are probably not feasible... but I would have been angry at myself not having tried !Regards,kartmarc
So I guess it's out of the question that they re-enter over the US on a descending node as well then so at least the taxpayers that have supported this program for so long could get one last look at her?
I wonder how long a F-15 diving high and fast could keep up with the shuttle while the shuttle is at mach 2?
Quote from: Pheogh on 06/02/2011 08:15 pmSo I guess it's out of the question that they re-enter over the US on a descending node as well then so at least the taxpayers that have supported this program for so long could get one last look at her?They haven't cared for the last two descending node entries. I doubt they'd care about this one. Not one single video was taken of STS-120 or STS-131 as they re-entered over the United States. If they decide to do a descending node entry, it won't be to let the taxpayers look at her. It would be to allow for more time in the mission timeline and a daylight landing.
Anyone else remember the thread for the MPLM being permanently attached and it was said it would never happen
just something to think about
NASA don't read forums, but forum members know some NASA employees, who can talk to other NASA employees, who can talk to astronauts, who can talk to managers, etc. It must at least be tried !
Quote from: kartmarc on 06/04/2011 07:16 amNASA don't read forums, but forum members know some NASA employees, who can talk to other NASA employees, who can talk to astronauts, who can talk to managers, etc. It must at least be tried !Some forum members are NASA employees/astronauts
Quote from: kartmarc on 06/04/2011 07:16 amNASA don't read forums, but forum members know some NASA employees, who can talk to other NASA employees, who can talk to astronauts, who can talk to managers, etc. It must at least be tried !Why?
Because it is worth to try suggesting these ideas to managers or other influent people at NASA. This administration's media department has already done several operations (tweetup, music in space...) and I'm sure they would hear suggestions from Space Shuttle Program admirators.
Needless to say these are only two photos from each of a whole series. I have the sequence from last HAC down to wheels stop.Unfortunately, Endeavour never seemed to come in on 33 in the recent past when I was in place. ;-)
Quote from: Eksath on 06/06/2011 01:01 pmNeedless to say these are only two photos from each of a whole series. I have the sequence from last HAC down to wheels stop.Unfortunately, Endeavour never seemed to come in on 33 in the recent past when I was in place. ;-)Those are still great pictures...but not sure there's any certainty that they'll use a Runway 33 approach for end-of-mission, either.How often are you on the VAB roof for approach and landing?
What time of day is planned for eom ksc landing. Thought it was also early am.