Space Shuttle Discovery landing

The Space Shuttle Discovery is due to come in to land today, just before 5pm GMT. We watched the shuttle go up successfully almost two weeks ago. Since then, there's been all manner of space walks and scientific experiments, but now it's time for Discovery to come back down to earth for the final time.

Credit: Copyright free
Space Shuttle over land and sea

The landing can be viewed on a live stream via NASA TV, available here, and NASA are on Twitter as well, although I don't know how comprehensive their coverage will be. More importantly, I'll be Factbyte Factboxing the event throughout, so join me then!

219 responses

Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:49

Great picture
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:51

I would suggest rather than NASA TV on their own site watch the embed and text up dates at http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html
They also have their own commentators chipping in when it is quiet too.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:53

De-orbit burn started. Both OMS engines working perfectly. Burn lasts 2.5 minutes
Kai09/03/2011 at 15:53

Great picture
+1
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:54

De-orbit burn complete.
Mr C09/03/2011 at 15:55

daft question, is 30 mins enough fbfb lead time for a landing?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:57

daft question, is 30 mins enough fbfb lead time for a landing?
Yes. Nothing much happens until then. Now the de-orbit burn has taken place there is not much more to discuss until then
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:58

60 minutes to touchdown
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 15:59

Remember KFC is really KSC
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:01

If my memory serves, it's three minutes of landing and then lots and lots and lots of looking at a shuttle on the ground. :)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:02

If my memory serves, it's three minutes of landing and then lots and lots and lots of looking at a shuttle on the ground. :)
I really hope they give more of the pilot's view through the hud on the approach. They did that once and it was fabulous but haven't done it since
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:06

NASA TV have a much bigger and better picture size for their feed than normal. I think I will watch that but listen to Spaceflight Now
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:07

We really need some kind of elevator music so that I know my stream hasn't died.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:11

We really need some kind of elevator music so that I know my stream hasn't died.
I have two streams and both are silent. How can you sell people on how fabulous space travel is if everyone is silent?
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:11

I have two streams and both are silent. How can you sell people on how fabulous space travel is if everyone is silent?
Hehe.
I like them tracking the shuttle over Australia and stuff. Like Santa.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:12

I like them tracking the shuttle over Australia and stuff. Like Santa.
You can get that any time you want. @ spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/
Shuttle and station
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:13

You can get that any time you want. @ spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/
Ohh... I have been paying attention. Honest.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:17

I hope you have another space head. The next shuttle Endeavour is due to start rolling out to the launch pad today.
Well at least it was until NASA put a 24 hour delay on it.
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:17

I hope you have another space head. The next shuttle Endeavour is due to start rolling out to the launch pad today.
Oooh more launchy goodness?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:18

T-40 minutes to landing
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:18

Oooh more launchy goodness?
Some time in April
Christine09/03/2011 at 16:18

Some time in April
Excellent!
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:20

Soyuz launches March 29th
Shuttle launches April 19th
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:21

this mans voice makes me want to sleep.............that cant be good.
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:21

and afternoon all :)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:23

Soyuz launches March 29th
Shuttle launches April 19th
If only you had a calendar you could have all the mission dates in it
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/calendar/index.html
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:23

I like them tracking the shuttle over Australia and stuff. Like Santa.
:)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:23

Hi Barrie
this mans voice makes me want to sleep.............that cant be good.
NASA TV leaves a lot to be desired
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:25

to stimulate my mind until we get the 3 mins or so of action - anyone think of Shuttle-related songs? I can only think of one.......
(sorry if this has been mentioned before.....I've been a bit busy at work :p)
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:25

and hiya Steven :)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:25

Discovery just about to enter the atmosphere at 17000 mph
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:26

to stimulate my mind until we get the 3 mins or so of action - anyone think of Shuttle-related songs? I can only think of one.......
Try this feed the picture is not so good but the commentary is better. I watch NASA and listen to http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/status.html
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:28

FBFB is about to spring into action. I wonder if landing gets a geen flag or a chequered flag?
http://factbytefactbox.com/live
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:28

Afternoon all
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:28

NASA just tweeted that it will land 18 seconds early. Hope that doesn;t screw up anyone's plans
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:32

Discovery 53 miles high, 3900 miles from the runway dropping375 ft/s
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:32

Speed dropped from Mach 25 to Mach 24
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:32

I hope their tray tables are stowed and seats are in the upright and locked position.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:33

I hope their tray tables are stowed and seats are in the upright and locked position.
:D
I bet one of them has his seat belt off for a fast exit
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:33

If you fancy pretending *YOU* went to 'Space Camp' after Jiggs the robot rigged the system for you to go up then download the F-Sim-Shuttle app for the iPhone....
It's hard to get a perfect landing!!!
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:33

I hope their tray tables are stowed and seats are in the upright and locked position.
:D
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:34

I bet one of them has his seat belt off for a fast exit
"turn off your iPhone, dude! It's messing with my navigation."
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:34

Pedalo has gone back to McLaren as test driver.
#notspacerelated
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:35

FBFB I think that is 370 ft/s
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:35

The shuttle is in the midst of the four banks to scrub off speed as it descends into the atmosphere. These turns basically remove the energy vehicle built up during launch. That's so cool.
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:36

If you fancy pretending *YOU* went to 'Space Camp' after Jiggs the robot rigged the system for you to go up then download the F-Sim-Shuttle app for the iPhone....
Very good reviews and on sale for the Shuttle's last mission. I'll buy that. Cheers
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:37

Pedalo has gone back to McLaren as test driver.
#notspacerelated
Were you too lazy to switch threads? :D
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:37

Now 15000mph
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:37

73,000 viewers and climbing
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:37

Were you too lazy to switch threads? :D
Watching an d typing too many things and knew I would forget
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:38

73,000 viewers and climbing
SFN has 42000
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:39

Tings you don't wanna hear at Mission Control
"Oh, I meant to tell you..."
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:40

Radio traffic
I meant to tell you block 29 is complete
Ground - When di that happen?
Shuttle - A while ago
I thought the procedures were meant to be a bit tighter than that
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:40

Tings you don't wanna hear at Mission Control
"What does THIS do?"
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:40

Tings you don't wanna hear at Mission Control
and, who could forget that old nugget. "Houston, we have a problem"
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:40

Tings you don't wanna hear at Mission Control
"What does THIS do?"
Did you say I SHOULD press the red button?
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:41

"By the way dude, we ran out of cheetos up there. I meant to tell you"
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:41

Very good reviews and on sale for the Shuttle's last mission. I'll buy that. Cheers
No worries. Watch the tutorial, I always touch down too hard.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:41

and, who could forget that old nugget. "Houston, we have a problem"
They never said that.
He said Houston we have had a problem. I only found out two years ago. All that time I was saying it wrong
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:42

It's not "dropping", it's descending
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:42

Shuttle dropping at 193 ft/s Just imagine dropping that far in a second
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:42

NASA just tweeted that it will land 18 seconds early. Hope that doesn;t screw up anyone's plans
it'll mess up my countdown :(
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:43

It's not "dropping", it's descending
It flies like a brick. It drops
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:44

It flies like a brick. It drops
It has wings, it's not stalling and it's controlled. Descending :D
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:45

It flies like a brick. It drops
A very fast brick none the less
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:45

Discovery is 33 miles in altitude, 553 miles from the runway, traveling at 8,200 mph.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:45

It has wings, it's not stalling and it's controlled. Descending :D
It was barely touching the atmosphere at the time. Wings without air is the same as a brick
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:46

It flies like a brick. It drops
A very fast brick none the less
It flies like a brick. It drops
It's called a 'Brick with wings' for a reason!!!
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:46

It was barely touching the atmosphere at the time. Wings without air is the same as a brick
It has forward motion too
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:46

well the tiles do look a little like bricks.......
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:46

It's called a 'Brick with wings' for a reason!!!
Wings is only wings if their is air
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:48

I love that they know exactly where on the runway they are going to land
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:48

Ten minutes from landing. Discovery is 26 miles in altitude, 242 miles from the runway, traveling at 4,500 mph.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:48

Current winds at the runway at 18 peaking to 28 knots.
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:49

thats some de-acceleration (hyphen or not to hyphen?)......
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:49

THey look a little off on the flight plan :S
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:49

deceleration? I dont know, we dont have a space programme lol
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:49

Current winds at the runway at 18 peaking to 28 knots.
That's quite substantial for an unpowered craft landing
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:50

thats some de-acceleration (hyphen or not to hyphen?)......
Deceleration
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:50

i have no audio, loving the comments and fbfb, cheers all.
Adie09/03/2011 at 16:50

THey look a little off on the flight plan :S
Gordon Burns wouldn't score them high on the Krypton Factor for that,
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:50

THey look a little off on the flight plan :S
Gordon Burns wouldn't score them high on the Krypton Factor for that,
HEHE!
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:50

I see the shuttle
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:50

What was deployed, probes?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:50

THey look a little off on the flight plan :S
Gordon Burns wouldn't score them high on the Krypton Factor for that,
Not bad after 5 million miles
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:51

I see the shuttle
SEEN!
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:51

What was deployed, probes?
Yes
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:51

Awesome picture quality
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:51

thats still a stunning sight, isnt it..........
prefer Concorde, though..........;)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:52

HAC - Heading alignment circle.
They circle till they are pointing in the right direction
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:52

omg, onboard!
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:52

prefer Concorde, though..........;)
Same Delta Wing design
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:52

omg, onboard!
That's what I want. A couple of minuts through the HUD
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:53

if you have sky or virgin or what, its now on Fox News
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:53

That's what I want. A couple of minuts through the HUD
looks like the picture was breaking up.
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:53

and CNN
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:53

if you have sky or virgin or what, its now on Fox News
I think BBC News show it too
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:53

looks like the picture was breaking up.
Someone was texting, I think
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:53

looks like the picture was breaking up.
Yes
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:54

Lovethe sonic booms
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:54

Can they not decide which one of themis flying it
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:55

Can they not decide which one of themis flying it
Rock, paper, scissors?
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:56

they're gonna crash into that cloud...
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:56

Looks like NASA read the comments. Lots of HUD for the first time in about ten missions
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:56

Steven, any idea of the flying controls hydraulic pressure
I'd imagine it'd be above 5,000 psi
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:57

Boy, that is quite a bit of an angle. I could never be an astronaut. I don't think they'd want someone screaming their brains out on landing.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:57

Lift the nose
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:57

here we go :)
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:57

what a sight.
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:57

Flare
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:57

18 seconds early!!!
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:57

oh blimey
I clapped!!
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:57

Wow. Just like they're back from Des Moines or something.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:57

Touchdown!
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:57

Buy shuttle, I remember your very first flight
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:58

I clapped!!
I'm clapping on the inside (at work).
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:58

*bye
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:58

And the answer to the big question. Touch down gets the chequered flag
Kai09/03/2011 at 16:58

Bye shuttle, I remember your very first flight
Aw, me too. :,)
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:58

Wow. Just like they're back from Des Moines or something.
Overhead bins flying open, the clack of seatbelts throughout :D
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:58

18 seconds early!!!
how? how is that possible. to the very second the wheels hit the deck.
*stunned*
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:58

Best landing video in ages if not ever
Barrie09/03/2011 at 16:59

so do they pick up their duty free now or in the terminal? :p
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:59

Best landing video in ages if not ever
It was good, very good feed
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:59

how? how is that possible. to the very second the wheels hit the deck.
*stunned*
They have good computers
Bassano09/03/2011 at 16:59

Did he just thank KFC?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 16:59

KFC gave them a great shuttle??
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:59

NASA just tweeted that it will land 18 seconds early. Hope that doesn;t screw up anyone's plans
it'll mess up my countdown :(
i take it back, that made my day :)
Mr C09/03/2011 at 16:59

so do they pick up their duty free now or in the terminal? :p
:) :)
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:00

KFC gave them a great shuttle??
Kennedy Flight Control?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:00

Did he just thank KFC?
KSC - Kennedy Space Centre
Adie09/03/2011 at 17:00

So, who gets out first wearing a Sombrero and a straw donkey under their arm?
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:00

so do they pick up their duty free now or in the terminal? :p
You guys can't make me laugh out loud! not fair!
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:00

So, who gets out first wearing a Sombrero and a straw donkey under their arm?
:lol:
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:00

FBFB doing replays?
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:00

KSC - Kennedy Space Centre
Of course
Barrie09/03/2011 at 17:00

You guys can't make me laugh out loud! not fair!
:P :D
Mr C09/03/2011 at 17:01

FBFB doing replays?
LOVE.IT.
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:01

i have no audio, loving the comments and fbfb, cheers all.
Same
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:01

Timed to the second but there's never a guy ready with some mobile steps
Same all around the world
Adie09/03/2011 at 17:02

Ooo here's a random fact that popped up on my twitter:
"If you blow torch a shuttle tile to red hot, in the time it takes to put down the torch the tile is back to room temperature"
:o
Mr C09/03/2011 at 17:02

Timed to the second but there's never a guy ready with some mobile steps
Same all around the world
heh.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:02

Timed to the second but there's never a guy ready with some mobile steps
Bet customs are a pain too
Barrie09/03/2011 at 17:03

Timed to the second but there's never a guy ready with some mobile steps
Same all around the world
and I bet they have to wait for their bags............someone else ALWAYS gets theirs first.......
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:04

Is there any conditioning before they can debrief and go home?
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:04

Bet customs are a pain too
All of them pulling out old satellites and space debris from their pockets....
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:04

Bet customs are a pain too
"Purpose of your visit to Earth? And how long were you in orbit?"
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:04

All of them pulling out old satellites and space debris from their pockets....
"It's a gift, honest"
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:05

Is there any conditioning before they can debrief and go home?
They have to run through a load of systems stuff then they get a quick check up by the doc before they even get off the runway. THey go home to Houston on Thursday I think
Adie09/03/2011 at 17:06

If you follow @twisst56 on Twitter they tweet you when the ISS will pass overhead.
It'll be over us tonight @ 18:39 West-south west and it'll be "Very Bright"
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:06

"Purpose of your visit to Earth? And how long were you in orbit?"
Did you meet anyone while you were off the planet
Maverick09/03/2011 at 17:07

"If you blow torch a shuttle tile to red hot, in the time it takes to put down the torch the tile is back to room temperature"
I don't know, I think I'd drop it pretty quick
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:07

If you follow @twisst56 on Twitter they tweet you when the ISS will pass overhead.
It'll be over us tonight @ 18:39 West-south west and it'll be "Very Bright"
Go to spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ and pick your location on the left hand panel for all sighting opportunities
Barrie09/03/2011 at 17:09

"If you blow torch a shuttle tile to red hot, in the time it takes to put down the torch the tile is back to room temperature"
I remember seeing that on Tomorrow's World (yup, that old) when the tiles came out of an oven, and while the centres were still glowing, the presenter picked it up by its edges. wonderful stuff......
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:09

Normally vehicles head out to the shuttle not just a few people randomly strolling over
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:11

Normally vehicles head out to the shuttle not just a few people randomly strolling over
Are they going to taxi?
Repositioning the engines for...?
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:12

Normally vehicles head out to the shuttle not just a few people randomly strolling over
Maybe they're stripping the inside for souvenirs...
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:12

Are they going to taxi?
Nope. It stays parked
Repositioning the engines for...?
I assume in a parked position to allow them to be removed more easily or to stop them fouling something
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:13

I assume in a parked position to allow them to be removed more easily or to stop them fouling something
Makes sense. Probably need to be ina neutral position for removal
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:14

Infrared Cam
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:14

Makes sense. Probably need to be ina neutral position for removal
That's what I assume it is
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:14

Infrared Cam
The fumes/flames is from the auxiliary power units
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:15

Go to get out of their suits.
I guess they have decided to stay on the ground
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:15

The fumes/flames is from the auxiliary power units
Does it have 2 APUs?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:16

Does it have 2 APUs?
Yes. Powered by hydrazine
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:17

CRT?? Surely not.
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:18

CRT?? Surely not.
What was that, I wasn't listening?
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:19

The astronauts are told they can remove their spacesuits when they're reader.????????
I assume ready FBFB
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:19

Yes. Powered by hydrazine
3 he said
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:20

What was that, I wasn't listening?
I have no idea. They were either told they could shut down or re-start CRT2. I assume they don't have CRT monitors
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:20

3 he said
I thought 2 but 3 is even better
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:20

I have no idea. They were either told they could shut down or re-start CRT2. I assume they don't have CRT monitors
I bet they do
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:21

I have no idea. They were either told they could shut down or re-start CRT2. I assume they don't have CRT monitors
They are probably Integrated Display Units rather than just mnitors. Full of avionics
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:21

The engines are positioned to drain downwards. So not a neutral park but pointed down so no-one comes across a pool of nasty chemicals inside
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:24

It must be impossible to see the ground with the nose up so high
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:24

They are probably Integrated Display Units rather than just mnitors. Full of avionics
http://www.aviationearth.com/Theory/glasscockpit.html
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:25

Shuttle I am going to do it with a Mark
Ground - You can do it with a George or a Bill if you like
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:25

It must be impossible to see the ground with the nose up so high
Concorde was the same, that's why it had a droop nose.
Fixed delta wings have to land with a high angle of attack
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:26

Fixed delta wings have to land with a high angle of attack
I can understand that. Must be disconcerting looking at the sky when you know the ground is approaching fast
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:27

DDU: Document Distribution Unit
[probably]
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:27

You can tell this is the last flight by the radio traffic. They sound like they are on holiday already
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:28

They are probably Integrated Display Units rather than just mnitors. Full of avionics
www.aviationearth…glasscockpit.html
I thought rudder pedals were a thing of the past
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:28

I thought rudder pedals were a thing of the past
Not at all. Pilots still have to do minimum amount of manual landings
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:29

I thought rudder pedals were a thing of the past
Plus the top of the pedals is for brakes.
[They are hinged on the centre line]
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:30

Not at all. Pilots still have to do minimum amount of manual landings
I read or heard something that said the rudders now were somehow linked to the stick
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:30

[They are hinged on the centre line]
Heel and toe on a jet? Interesting
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:31

I read or heard something that said the rudders now were somehow linked to the stick
Autopilot will link everything put they still have to accept manual input
Airbus is a different story altogether. Very French, only does it when IT wants to do it and overrules the pilot
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:31

Heel and toe on a jet? Interesting
:D
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:31

Love the thermocam. Look how cool the landing gear is and how fast the tyres heat up on landing
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:32

Airbus is a different story altogether. Very French, only does it when IT wants to do it and overrules the pilot
I don't like that. If I am driving no silicon chip overrules me
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:33

I don't like that. If I am driving no silicon chip overrules me
Plus there are no 'spectacles' on the airbus. It's a joystick
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:34

Plus there are no 'spectacles' on the airbus. It's a joystick
It always seems amazing that something that size can be controlled by the kind of joystick you use on a computer
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:36

That's the first time we have watched a shuttle land that will (probably) never fly again.
Christine09/03/2011 at 17:41

Are the astronauts ever going to get out? Cos I can't keep the FBFB open forever.
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:41

Are the astronauts ever going to get out? Cos I can't keep the FBFB open forever.
I reckon they popped the champagne
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:42

Are the astronauts ever going to get out? Cos I can't keep the FBFB open forever.
They should be getting out in the next few minutes I would have thought. They are over doing the replays
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:42

I reckon they popped the champagne
I was JUST going to say that.
Poppin' bottles.
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:42

Poppin' bottles.
that or they didn't fill out their immigration forms properly.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:43

Are the astronauts ever going to get out? Cos I can't keep the FBFB open forever.
They are planning on moving the shuttle in 2 and a half hours so the astronauts need to be out long before that
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:44

that or they didn't fill out their immigration forms properly.
Maybe they are asking if they brought any food from space with them
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:45

All six astronauts have exited the space shuttle. They are inside the Crew Transport Vehicle -- a modified airport "People Mover" -- that pulled up to the side hatch for the astronauts to enter. The CTV features beds and comfortable seats for the astronauts to receive medical checks after returning to Earth's gravity from the weightless environment of space.
SFN
I always said NASA TV was useless
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:45

Maybe they are asking if they brought any food from space with them
Someone got caught with an errant orange.
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:45

I always said NASA TV was useless
Or space turned them invisible.
I am very helpful today, huh? ;)
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:46

I am very helpful today, huh? ;)
Very
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:46

Great job FBFB
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:47

Great job FBFB
Yes, this was fabulous. It made my day.
Christine09/03/2011 at 17:48

Replay embedded. Much fun (tinged with sadness). Thanks all!
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:49

Replay embedded. Much fun (tinged with sadness). Thanks all!
Is the FBFB going to try its first Soyuz launch in 3 weeks time?
Kai09/03/2011 at 17:50

I'm off for now. Thanks everyone.
Christine09/03/2011 at 17:51

Is the FBFB going to try its first Soyuz launch in 3 weeks time?
Is there video and stuff?
Bassano09/03/2011 at 17:51

I'm off for now. Thanks everyone.
See ya later Kai
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:52

Is there video and stuff?
Yes. We watched a couple before. This is the one where the commander has a stick to poke switches. I am sure you have seen one launch before at least
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:52

Bye Kai
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:53

I saw this tweeted during the landing. I haven't read it yet but looks interesting
http://www.space.com/11071-stephen-hawking-aldrin-space-exploration.html
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:54

I saw this tweeted during the landing. I haven't read it yet but looks interesting
Must be odd being Buzz Aldrin. No-one is remotely interested in anything you have done for the last 40 years
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 17:58

Just to complete today's space stuff the ISS will be visible from the UK at 6:40pm
Pat W09/03/2011 at 19:50

I missed the launch because I was heading home from work and doing some shopping, ta for the updates. :)
Pic from the ground - http://twitpic.com/47vumx
Pat W09/03/2011 at 19:51

I missed the launch because I was heading home from work and doing some shopping, ta for the updates. :)
Erm. Landing. Unlaunch.
Steven Roy09/03/2011 at 19:52

Unlaunch needs to go in the dictionary