(Stupid) Question for shuttle_guy...

[najab]

Okay, here's another one of my should-be-obvious-but-isn't questions for shutle_guy: what happens to air traffic into and out of MCO, SFB, TIX, MIO and CCAFS (plus any others I've forgotten) during a shuttle launch and landing?

 

[mrmorris]

There's no such thing as a stupid question. On the other hand -- stupid answers are pretty much a dime a dozen... and inflation never seems to affect that price.

 

[drwayne]

You know, I used to say there is no such thing as a stupid question. Then, some years ago when my son was a young toddler, he went through a phase of asking what I will refer to as "deep left field questions". Things like, when driving along in traffic, asking from his car seat - "Mommy, what would happen if this car got hit my a falling rock and was smashed flat?"<br /><br />Things that were not stupid but certainly made you go - Huh?<br /><br />Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>"1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything."  Admiral Jackie Fisher</p> </div>

 

[ldyaidan]

Along those same lines, hypothetically, anyway... Once all the private space agencies are up and running their services, how do you think they will deal with that? Will we have some sort of space traffic control? I can see where there would have to be some way to consistently track things, across all the different launches, as well as current air traffic. I can see things getting very cluttered in our airspace. Any ideas?<br /><br /><br />Rae

 

[najab]

What about for landings? I imagine it would be very disconcerting for a Shuttle commander to have to dodge a 747 coming into MCO. The other thing I was thinking is that it might be nice to have Tampa and Orlando available in case the Orbiter gets behind on the energy curve.

 

[najab]

I <i>did</i> say it was a stupid question! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />80,000 feet to make KSC huh? I knew the sink rate was impressive, but...wow! Reminds me of a comment I heard once: "A shuttle landing isn't really flying. It's more like falling - with <i>style</i>!" <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />In light of the above, I modify my comment about dodging a 747 - screw the CDR, it's the 747 driver I want to talk to!!! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />

 

[haywood]

Could they land the Orbiter other than at KSC without the MLS to help them?<br />Seems kind of iffy without it.<br />

 

[najab]

><i>Could they land the Orbiter other than at KSC without the MLS to help them?</i><p>Yes, but as you said, it wouldn't be the best landing ever. I believe that as part of their sim training, the CDR and PLT have to practice landing the Orbiter by the "seats of their pants". Shuttle_guy told us once of sitting in the "back seat" for a a simulated RTLS that would have required a landing at Bermuda (unfortunately the CDR overruled the computers and ended up putting the Orbiter in the drink!)</p>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

It's fun to watch them practice their approaches in the Gulfstream, IN REVERSE THRUST!, I havn't seen them doing it in a few years, but I will pretty soon, I hope. You've got to be a pretty good stick to do a strictly visual approach when you do your midfield at 40,000 ft and still going supersonic. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I'd love to give it a shot! I've said it before, I'll say it again, I'd love to be a pilot on that ship, but I wouldn't want to spend 2 weeks with 6 of my closest friends in a room half the size of my bathroom. If we ever get to a point where we launch just after breakfast, off-load our freight around lunch, and are home by dinner, I'll do that 5 days a week! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>