The Space Shuttle Is No Joke

[Lewis]

Who here thinks that they can fly this baby ? I know I can, right into the ground.
Space Shuttle Discovery - 360VR Images

 

[Lewis]

I forgot how long the training is to fly one of those things, but how could you possibly remember what all those buttons and switches are for. I think certain crew members have certain sections of all them controls.

 

[Pizzaguy]

1) I forgot how long the training is to fly one of those things, but how could you possibly remember what all those buttons and switches are for. 2) I think certain crew members have certain sections of all them controls.

1) There is a reason that all switches are labeled. :D But seriously, when you know and understand the systems, you then know where to go to address an issue or need when it comes up.

My church's sound booth has two mixing boards, a light dimmer panel, a video production panel and two laptop computers - at first glance, it must look overwhelming - but once you are familiar with it, it's not all that bad. (I've never counted, so I don't know how many controls there are, but one board has over 70 knobs, switches and pushbuttons alone.)


2) You are right - one or more of the "payload specialists" handle the consoles behind the flight deck seats. These consoles are used only when "on orbit", not during launch or re-entry.

 

[Lewis]

Yeah I help run a Peavey sound board for my church, and I have a small Yamaha one for my band. And did you hold down your mouse and look at the overhead switches as well ?

 

[Pizzaguy]

No, I missed that option. And to think, you are deciding what switch to move to do what you want to do - while moving 5 miles a second...

 

[Lewis]

5 miles a second, wow now that is some speed.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Well, I guess that's the front of the craft based on the way the seats are facing.

 

[Pizzaguy]

5 miles a second, wow now that is some speed.

It is... reading about how the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere is fascinating. They bleed off the speed by "slipping" the craft against the upper (and very thin) atmosphere. With speeds like that, if they mess up, imagine the g-forces you'd go thru as the craft tumbles in the air!

The entire flight, from lift-off to touchdown, is full of procedures that even experienced aircraft pilots are totally unfamiliar with.

I sure hate to see it coming to an end.

 

[Vic C.]

It is... reading about how the shuttle re-enters the atmosphere is fascinating. They bleed off the speed by "slipping" the craft against the upper (and very thin) atmosphere. With speeds like that, if they mess up, imagine the g-forces you'd go thru as the craft tumbles in the air!

The entire flight, from lift-off to touchdown, is full of procedures that even experienced aircraft pilots are totally unfamiliar with.

I sure hate to see it coming to an end.

Don't worry:

NASA - 21st Century Explorer