How does the space shuttle know where to land?

The orbiter makes a series of S-shaped, banking turns to slow its descent speed as it begins its final approach to the runway. The commander flies the shuttle around an imaginary cylinder (18,000 feet or 5,500 m in diameter) to line the orbiter up with the runway and drop the altitude.

How long of a runway does the space shuttle need to land?

The MDD is 150 feet (45.7 meters) long, 93 feet (28.3 meters) wide and 105 feet (32 meters) high. It can lift up to 230,000 pounds (104,328 kilograms). Although a single landing strip, it is considered two runways, depending on the approach: from either the northwest on Runway 15 or from the southeast on Runway 33.

What is Orbit to abort?

An abort to orbit (ATO) was available when the intended orbit could not be reached but a lower stable orbit above 120 miles (190 km) above Earth’s surface was possible. This occurred during mission STS-51-F, when Challenger’s center engine failed five minutes and 46 seconds after liftoff.

Can you land at Shuttle landing Facility?

Space Shuttle orbiter reentries and landings ceased in 2011 at the end of the Space Shuttle program. Most recently in October 2019, the U.S. Air Force X-37B reentered and landed at the SLF , demonstrating the facility’s continued ability to support orbital reentry and landing.

Did they find the bodies of Columbia astronauts?

The remains of all seven astronauts were recovered, despite the obstacles of terrain and the scope of the search. Searchers combed through pine forests, hundreds of thousands of acres of underbrush, and boggy areas. Parts of the shuttle were found in Lake Nacogdoches and the Toledo Bend Reservoir.

How many horsepower does a space shuttle have?

37 million horsepower
How much horsepower do the shuttle’s main engines produce at the time of lift off? The three space shuttle main engines generate the maximum equivalent of about 37 million horsepower. The fuel pump alone delivers as much as 71,000 horsepower, the oxygen pump delivers about 23,000.