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Space Shuttle Gains Remote-Control Landing Capability

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the look-ma-no-pilots dept.

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."

10 of 248 comments (clear)

  1. 28 ft ? by Spliffster · · Score: 4, Funny

    A 28 ft long cable to "remote-control" the shuttle ? they are not gonna go far this time, are they ? ;)
    -S

  2. Including the ability to lower the landing gear by Ours · · Score: 4, Funny

    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
  3. Re:Filling the ISS over capacity a good idea? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have dibs on the movie rights

  4. A better picture of the interface by tacarat · · Score: 4, Funny

    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"
  5. In soviet russia by Yvanhoe · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.
  6. Obligatory joke ... by vogon+jeltz · · Score: 5, Funny

    " ... including the ability to lower the landing gear".

    You know you're landing gear up when it takes full throttle to taxi.

  7. Old news indeed... by dpmapping · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does no-one remember seeing the prototype for this being demonstrated in Airplane II (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083530/)?

  8. R/C Shuttle by scherrey · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Well at least we got the vehicle back! Let's get some beer!"

  9. Re:Shuttle Orbiter Automatic Landing by tomknight · · Score: 4, Funny

    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
  10. No, I'm New Here by New+Here · · Score: 3, Funny

    No, I'm New Here