Scott Spiro Blog

For many years I’ve seen images of the Space Shuttle: pictures, movies, sketches, blueprints, etc. But last Friday was the first time I had seen the Shuttle with my own eyes! My friends know that I attended Space Camp twice back in ’84 and ’85. Space Camp (located in Huntsville, AL) was an experience I have never forgotten. A full week of Astronaut training culminating with a very realistic Shuttle mission simulation complete with an Orbiter simulator, Mission Control, and Space Station. As great as the experience was, I have always wanted to see a Shuttle launch and landing (though I do follow the space station as it speeds by on certain nights here in SoCal).

Last Friday when NASA announced that they had made a flight plan adjustment (due to inclement weather in Florida) and were planning to land the Shuttle at Edwards Air Force base here in California I knew that I had a unique opportunity. I packed up a few things, called the NASA Dryden Flight Research Base to find out where the best viewing would be (Edwards was closed for public viewing however) and headed out. I reached the viewing area after a 2 hour drive, arriving at Boron, CA in 105 degree heat. Luckily, my iphone had 3G service and I was able to follow shuttle communications via NASA TV which was viewable using an iPhone app called NASA News. Approximately 47 minutes before the landing time, Discovery began it’s deorbit burn while rounding the tip of Africa.

There were approximately 40 cars parked along the road in this remote part of the high desert. Folks had their lawn chairs, binoculars and looked genuinely prepared for the landing. I’ve posted my video of the landing below- there’s only so much an iphone can see but you can definitely hear the sonic booms as Discovery hit sub-sonic speeds, approached the landing cone and began a steep landing onto runway 22. Honestly, I was surprised at how high the shuttle was flying as it approached, and I would recommend viewing the movie below full screen so you can see the orbiter as it glides overhead (and it is indeed a glider as it comes in for a landing).

If you have never been to a shuttle landing, I hope you do someday go see it. Since NASA only uses CA as required (it’s just too expensive flying the shuttle back home), it’s usually a last minute scheduling change. You just need to be ready!

PS. If you want to find out when the next International Space Station (ISS) viewing is in your area, visit the NASA viewing app located here.