Atlantis lands Friday in California’s Edwards AFB

William Atkins
Saturday, 23 June 2007 00:56

Science - Space

Microsoft Office 365

Weather conditions were not conducive to a landing in Florida, so NASA was forced to switch runway locations and go with a landing at Edwards AFB.

In Orbit #219, shuttle commander Rick Sturckow and pilot Lee Archambault were beginning a de-orbit burn at about 2:43 p.m. EDT (18:43 GMT).

As of 2:45 p.m. NASA confirms that Atlantis is in the process of performing the de-orbit burn over the Indian Ocean in order to allow it to leave its orbit and begin descending into the atmosphere of the Earth.

As of 2:48 p.m. NASA confirms that Atlantis has completed its de-orbit burn, with no trims required.

As of 2:52 p.m. Atlantis is moving its orientation in space so that its heat-resistant tiles will face the scorching temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere as it descends toward the Earth.

Within 30 minutes, Atlantis will begin to feel the outer edges of the Earth's atmosphere--what is called entry interface (EI). EI begins at about 400,000 feet (75 miles) above the Earth's surface.

At 183,000 feet above the surface of the Earth, Atlantis is traveling at 9,000 miles per hour. It is about 13 minutes from landing at Edwards runway 22.

Traveling at 3,000 miles per hour, Atlantis is about six minutes from landing.

Atlantis approaches the runway at Edwards. All looks nominal at four minutes to touchdown.

It is approaching the runway at about 220 miles per hour, with one minute to touchdown.

Atlantis' landing gear comes out at 400 feet above the ground.

Atlantis and its STS-117 crew of seven astronauts landed at 3:49 p.m. EDT at Edwards Air Force Base.

NASA TV on the Internet will show the events live as they unfold at: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.