Space Shuttle Discovery might be coming to EDW!

[akradecki]

Just got a NASA advisory that weather conditions "likely" will force a landing sometime this weekend. The advisory also said that: "Public access to Edwards Air Force Base for viewing of a potential shuttle landing is at the discretion of the 95th Air Base Wing commander. At this time, it is expected that the public viewing site on the east shore of Rogers Dry Lake WILL be open for this mission. Persons desiring to view a shuttle landing should be aware that the site has only minimal facilities, and should allow plenty of time to arrive at the remote location."

The advisory didn't provide any further instructions or where to go, so I'd suggest monitoring the Edwards website.

[CHILIBEAN]

When is it scheduled to land here at Edwards?

[akradecki]

When is it scheduled to land here at Edwards?

There's no set schedule for EDW. It's scheduled for Thursday in FL, but, as the advisory says:

"However, weather forecasts predict widespread thunderstorms along Florida's east coast during the afternoon on Thursday with a chance of thunderstorms within a 30-mile radius of Kennedy for both landing opportunities Thursday evening. That weather pattern is expected to continue Friday and Saturday. If a landing in Florida is not possible Thursday evening due to weather or other constraints, there is a strong possibility that mission managers will direct Discovery to land at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California where weather is expected to be good on Friday or Saturday, Sept. 11—12. All landing opportunities at Edwards are during the late afternoon or early evening both days."

[GTagami]

No Go for KSC Landing Today
Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:35:53 PM PDT

The weather forecast is "no go" for tonight's second landing opportunity at Kennedy Space Center because of the threat of rain and thunderstorms near the Shuttle Landing Facility. Entry Flight Director Richard Jones and his team are now looking at the weather forecast for a Kennedy landing tomorrow. Edwards Air Force Base in California also will be activated for possible landing possibilities.

[akradecki]

Dryden PAO is now saying that Edwards will NOT be open for public viewing of the landing. Pre-approved media will be allowed in, however. Controllers have tentatively ruled out a Saturday landing. There are two landing opportunities for Friday, and the controllers are keeping options for both Kennedy and Edwards open for both opportunities; for the Edwards site, the potential landing times are at 5:53 pm and 7:28 pm.

[GTagami]

Dryden PAO is now saying that Edwards will NOT be open for public viewing of the landing. Pre-approved media will be allowed in, however. Controllers have tentatively ruled out a Saturday landing. There are two landing opportunities for Friday, and the controllers are keeping options for both Kennedy and Edwards open for both opportunities; for the Edwards site, the potential landing times are at 5:53 pm and 7:28 pm.

Hey Alan,

Is there any public spots out there that you can get a good shot of the approach/landing?

[GTagami]

Oh well..

Commander Rick Sturckow and his crew were awakened at 9:32 a.m. EDT today with the song "Big Boy Toys" by Aaron Tippin, and they should be into the deorbit preparation timeline by 12:49 p.m.

The deorbit burn for the first Kennedy Space Center, Florida landing opportunity is at 4:41 p.m., with landing at 5:48 p.m. The second Florida landing window begins with a deorbit burn at 5:17 p.m., and ends with a landing at 7:23 p.m.

The first landing opportunity for Edwards Air Force Base, California has a deorbit burn time of 7:47 p.m., with landing at 8:53 p.m. The second opportunity would start with a deorbit burn at 9:23 p.m., and end with a landing at 10:28 p.m.

[akradecki]

Hey Alan,

Is there any public spots out there that you can get a good shot of the approach/landing?

Assuming he lands to the west, the best bet would be from just outside the North Gate, or elsewhere along Hwy 58 east of Mojave.

[CHILIBEAN]

Assuming he lands to the west, the best bet would be from just outside the North Gate, or elsewhere along Hwy 58 east of Mojave.

Aye Glen, Are you going to this?

[Dragonskiss]

Wow, I heard that sonic boom loud and clear just now.  Amazing.

[NikonGuy]

Wow, I heard that sonic boom loud and clear just now.  Amazing.

Yeah me too! I was bike riding back from Malibu when I heard it... BOOM BOOM!      

[phantomphan1974]

I was driving back from running in Santa Monica and heard and felt it very well in Marina Del Rey.  Wife did to in Lomita.  Wonder if the clouds had any amplifying affect on the sound.

[akradecki]

Got cloudy right before he came in...so light dropped dramatically. Grrr...

More later....

[phantomphan1974]

Great Catch Alan!!!

[NikonGuy]

Got cloudy right before he came in...so light dropped dramatically. Grrr...

More later....

Sweet! Good stuff, Alan!!!