Landing - STS-130 Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands At Kennedy Space Center

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour lands at Kennedy Space Center February 22, 2009 art the conclusion of mission STS-130 to the International Space Station. Endeavour delivered the Node 3 Tranquility to ISS and the seven windowed cupola "view of the world" during its 13-day mission. This may be the last-ever night landing of the space shuttle before the fleet is retired.

This video was shot from the Shuttle Landing Facility runway mid-field location near the control tower and, as you can see, the landing convoy staging area.

http://www.spaceflightnews.net

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NASA
• space shuttle
• space
• STS-130
• Endeavour
• landing
• lands
• touchdown
• return
• KSC
• Kennedy Space Center
• Florida
• Cape Canaveral
• exploration
• shuttle
• ISS
• International
• station
• Tranquility
• cupola
• night
• nighttime

[mach25man]

Most of the reason it takes an hour is so they get their land legs back. Post landing checklist is usually done in 25 minutes. Throwing up by some takes 45 to 60 minutes.

[spacearium]

Go to Google Maps and type in "Nasa Shuttle Landing Facility". About halfway down the runway is a cleared area. That's where the control tower is and where all the media, VIP's and family watch. Right next to the runway.

[spacearium]

There are 3 APU's and they're critical for landing. If they fail, the orbiter will crash out of control. It's so important, they won't let the astronauts fire the engines to de-orbit unless one of them is turned on an working beforehand. The other two are turned on later - before landing.

[spacearium]

Occasionally, the sight of the exhaust will startle the casual observer, but it's perfectly normal. I explain it to people with the analogy that the vents are like the orbiter's tailpipes - in a way. That's also one reason it takes ~1 hour to get the crew off the orbiter. The APU's have to be shut down and everything made safe.

[spacearium]

Hey mach25man, thanks for answering those questions. I had a temporary drop off the face of the Earth. It also doesn't hurt that you're correct lol. Something tells me you work around the shuttle.

[mach25man]

These are the stands right next to the runway control tower . Only VIP's and media. Invitation only bused in from the visitor's center. Only recovery/runway crew gets closer right next to the runway.

[85iceman]

@spacearium -- Is the spot where this cool video is shot from open to the public? Or only to those with credentials?

[reaperrowledge]

awsome dude! i want an apu for my computer lol!

[mach25man]

There called xeon lights pronounced ze-on. They are just an aid for the shuttle. You cant see the whole 3 miles but there is some light. The runway has lights down both sides and the center. But the xeon lights do help.

[mach25man]

Auxillary Power Unit. In the shuttle for landing they provide hydraulic pressure to operate the aero surfaces and brakes.