John Glenn landing

STS 95 Discovery KSC Three Three

The U.S. space program is the source of much of the prestige our country enjoys in the world, because of our ability and accomplishments. Space efforts have driven our technology and quality of life – from lifesaving medicine, storm-warning and Global Positioning satellites, and satellite car monitoring, to the wireless, video, cell phone world of today’s instant communication. Nowhere is this ability more keenly demonstrated than during a Shuttle landing. The Shuttle is a 90-ton spacecraft that lands without any power other than the downward pull of gravity opposed by air friction on the vehicle’s lifting surfaces. Its glide path is 7 times steeper than that of a commercial airliner’s, and the rate of descent is 20 times faster. Notwithstanding the fact that they are landing a 90-ton ‘rock’ with no power, NASA hits the landing target with astounding accuracy. One of NASA’s biggest challenges is that they are so good at what they do they make it look too easy. In fact, it is rocket science.