Author Topic: Landing at White Sands, very bad idea! (Read 35788 times)

Gary · « **Reply #80 on:** 12/22/2006 12:52 pm »

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JimO - 22/12/2006 1:22 PM

There's also a strong possibility that the crosswind constraints can be modified for EDW, because the Discovery has improved tires and brakes that actually ARE certified to higher standards.

All of that would have been taken into account at the MMT.

ETEE · « **Reply #81 on:** 12/22/2006 01:09 pm »

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JimO - 22/12/2006 1:22 PM

There's also a strong possibility that the crosswind constraints can be modified for EDW, because the Discovery has improved tires and brakes that actually ARE certified to higher standards.

Would the improved tyres help with HIGH crosswinds?

rdale · « **Reply #82 on:** 12/22/2006 01:11 pm »

The new tires are good up to crosswinds of 20 per last night's press conference.

psloss · « **Reply #83 on:** 12/22/2006 01:17 pm »

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ETEE - 22/12/2006 8:52 AM

Would the improved tyres help with HIGH crosswinds?

To add to Rob's post, the existing flight rule limits -- 15 knots daytime, 12 knots darkness -- ARE high crosswinds for the orbiter. I don't believe they've landed an orbiter with sustained winds at the limits -- crosswind landings are an ongoing detailed test objective (DTO).

ETEE · « **Reply #84 on:** 12/22/2006 01:24 pm »

So as the tires only appear just before landing, surely their crosswind performance only applies to runway level crosswinds and not HIGH altitude.

psloss · « **Reply #85 on:** 12/22/2006 01:25 pm »

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ETEE - 22/12/2006 9:07 AM

So as the tires only appear just before landing, surely their crosswind performance only applies to runway level crosswinds and not HIGH altitude.

Yup -- high crosswinds refer to speed, not altitude, in this context.

ETEE · « **Reply #86 on:** 12/22/2006 01:37 pm »

Sorry I had heard reference to strong jet stream in approach; maybe strong instead of high would be better adjective for crosswinds at runway level?

rdale · « **Reply #87 on:** 12/22/2006 01:40 pm »

Not sure what you are asking... The crosswind limit is over concern when the wheels touch the ground. The jet stream is not an issue.

ETEE · « **Reply #88 on:** 12/22/2006 01:52 pm »

Well as a question then, what are the landing constraints on strong high altitude cross winds as Discovery is only a glider and its landing track is determined by the physical locations of its deorbit rev and the designated landing strip? Do I assume from the previous replies that crosswinds are only an issue when landing gear is extended?

Gary · « **Reply #89 on:** 12/22/2006 01:58 pm »

Crosswinds are constraints for landing. At high altitude ENERGY is the key.

Jim · « **Reply #90 on:** 12/22/2006 01:59 pm »

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ETEE - 22/12/2006 9:35 AM

Well as a question then, what are the landing constraints on strong high altitude cross winds as Discovery is only a glider and its landing track is determined by the physical locations of its deorbit rev and the designated landing strip? Do I assume from the previous replies that crosswinds are only an issue when landing gear is extended?

Crosswind affects the orbiter when the tires hit the ground, not when they are deployed.