Shuttle Landing

[scottr0829]

Anybody between LA and San Diego hear the sonic booms of the shuttle landing at Edwards this afternoon? According to Yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070622/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle), the booms could be heard from LA to San Diego (that is quite the distance)!

Welcome back astronauts! Imagine the turbulence THEY face coming back into the atmosphere! The stuff we deal with is nothing compared to that :thumbsup: (of course they are professionally trained to deal with it).

[Passenger Mark]

I watched it on TV!

It still causes goose bumps! Very amazing!

[Lynda]

I heard one on our first visit to Orlando, it shook the hotel room . I found out what it was later in the day.:) One of these visits I will get to see a launch I hope.

[aerobat]

I got to see a launch of Discovery at 3AM in 1994 from that little spit across the bay. It was absolutely thrilling! :woohoo:

[scottr0829]

That's awesome that someone has experienced them. I have always wanted to see one take off or land in person.

A few years ago, when I still lived with my parents (and I think I was in high school), I remember hearing on the 6 o'clock news that it was going to be clear and if you looked in the south-southwest sky at just the right moment, you would be able to see a ball of light and that was the shuttle leaving Earth (in CT that would be looking over the Atlantic). Sure enough I went out there at that time and it was high enough up that I saw that fast moving ball of light. It was just for a few seconds, but I was so excited! :woohoo:

[Jeff California]

I was in Big Bear cali when it landed. I live in Bakersfield and pass edwards AFB on my way home. i conteplated leaving early and watching it, but didnt. Didnt notice the booms.

[spiffyone]

I literally get tears in my eyes watching them land that thing. It is so amazing how fast and high it is only 3,4 minutes out. The first landing after the shuttle disaster was piloted by Eileen Collins and I watched it live (I think maybe 5 sec delay) on TV. You could hear some of her transmissions as she was coming in. Her voice was totally calm.

Having worked in life/death emergency situations on the ground (hospitals, etc), I know how important and hard it is to remain calm and thoughtful when everything is hectic and you don't have much time. I am in awe of people who can do it.

I know the landings are something that they train and train for, but watching it makes me appreciate how slow and gentle the descents are in commercial aviation :)

[Barb-SAN]

Anybody between LA and San Diego hear the sonic booms of the shuttle landing at Edwards this afternoon? According to Yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070622/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle), the booms could be heard from LA to San Diego (that is quite the distance)!


So that's what that was! Yes, I was at my computer here in San Diego, and felt it, and thought it was a sonic boom, but didn't know that's what caused it. Wow! I'm quite tuned it to those types of vibrations (my history with earthquakes from years ago).

[WillFlyToDisney]

I've seen a few launches and even got to view one night launch in 1990 or 1991 from the Press/VIP area. The night launch was just breathtaking - when the shuttle went up the whole sky lit up like it was noon! I'll never forget it.

If you ever get a chance to see a launch - try to see a night launch!

[Jeff California]

That's awesome Kelley!