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Space Shuttle Gains Remote-Control Landing Capability
rufey writes "An article over at Space.com mentions two new tools that Space Shuttle Discovery will have aboard during its upcoming flight, designated STS-121, scheduled to lift off on July 1, 2006. One tool is for tile repair. The other tool is a 28-foot-long cable that would be used to connect an avionics bay located on the mid-deck with the flight-deck controls. The cable enables flight controllers on the ground to land the Shuttle completely by remote control, including the ability to lower the landing gear. The remote control landing would be used in the case where the Shuttle was damaged to the point that it would be too risky to land it with humans aboard, but could be landed without humans aboard in an attempt to save the vehicle. The astronauts would take refuge on the ISS while mission control in Houston attempt to land a damaged Shuttle."
A 28 ft long cable to "remote-control" the shuttle ? they are not gonna go far this time, are they ? ;)
-S
including the ability to lower the landing gear
Yes, I suppose that's sort of a "must have" feature when landing a big glider-like object.
"You superiour intellect is no match for our puny weapons" - The Simpsons
I have dibs on the movie rights
The controls seem fairly intuitive, but I wonder if the budget is ready for it's upkeep and operational costs.
"Common sense will be the death of us all"
the shuttle lands you !
The Wise adapts himself to the world. The Fool adapts the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the Fool.
" ... including the ability to lower the landing gear".
You know you're landing gear up when it takes full throttle to taxi.
Does no-one remember seeing the prototype for this being demonstrated in Airplane II (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083530/)?
I now have a mental image of a guy in an anorak, standing on a small hill with a little black box (8" x 8") with a long aerial sticking out the top and two joysticks on the front, guiding the shuttle in to land... but I do not think the short cable was a good idea...
I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
"Well at least we got the vehicle back! Let's get some beer!"
Shagging in the toilet's pretty challenging. I'll agree it's not that interesting (after the first time) but it's always a tricky manoeuver...
Oh arse
You seem to be stating that tractor trailers are the best vehicle ever for running to the gas station to pick up a gallon of milk.
No, I'm New Here
Meanwhile the Russians have not lost a crew since Soyuz 11, in 1973. They have flown more than a hundred of the capsules since and lost no crew while the US was busy flying nowhere with a 100-tn orbiter with an empty payload bay - and 14 astronauts died.
Oh. And lets not forget. One soyuz flight (today) = ~20Million. One shuttle flight (today) = ~450 Million. Bummer, and I thought this was the country that looked at price tags.
Good luck using Bondo and "battleship grey" primer in orbit - I guess it could be a space first!
And this time they could mean it!