AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations?          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Aviation (Miscellaneous Topics) View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Roy Smith Guest Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:32 am    Post subject: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? According to wikipedia, "In the event of an emergency deorbit that would bring the Orbiter down in an area not within range of a designated emergency landing site, the Orbiter is theoretically capable of landing on any paved runway that is at least 10,000 feet long, which includes the majority of large commercial airports. (In practice, a US military airfield would probably be preferred for reasons of security arrangements and minimizing the disruption of commercial air traffic.)" So, for all you ATC types out there, how does this work? Does NASA just pick up the phone, call JFK Tower, and tell them to expect the shuttle in a few minutes? Do you guys get any training on what to do should this ever be required? I imagine it would require moving a lot of flights out of the way pretty quickly. Back to top B A R R Y Guest Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2006 4:06 am    Post subject: Re: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? On Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:32:52 -0500, Roy Smith <roy (AT) panix (DOT) com> wrote: Quote: So, for all you ATC types out there, how does this work? I can see the astronauts running through the A-B-C-C-C's... <G> Back to top Blanche Guest Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:40 am    Post subject: Re: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? The landing area is not chosen "a few minutes in advance". There's at least one orbit, usually 2 (90/180 min) for the final decision. Back to top Vic7 Guest Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:15 am    Post subject: Re: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? Blanche Wrote: Quote: The landing area is not chosen "a few minutes in advance". There's at least one orbit, usually 2 (90/180 min) for the final decision. That is quite true for a de-orbit landing, but what about a sub-orbital launch abort? Is an emergency landing site always available after a certain minimum altitude is reached? I am certain the engineers have calculated the answer to this question and the pilot and mission commander have that emergency procedure memorized, but I have no idea if there are any critical gaps short of orbit. -- Vic7 Back to top John Clear Guest Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:39 am    Post subject: Re: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? In article <Vic7.2jgf74 (AT) news (DOT) aviationbanter.com>, Vic7 <Vic7.2jgf74 (AT) news (DOT) aviationbanter.com> wrote: Quote: That is quite true for a de-orbit landing, but what about a sub-orbital launch abort? Is an emergency landing site always available after a certain minimum altitude is reached? I am certain the engineers have calculated the answer to this question and the pilot and mission commander have that emergency procedure memorized, but I have no idea if there are any critical gaps short of orbit. There are various scenarios that they have for launch aborts. Wikipedia has a good writeup: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_abort_modes There are four basic types of launch aborts. The names pretty much explain them. Return to Launch Site (RTLS) Transatlantic Abort Landing (TAL) Abort Once Around (AOA) Abort To Orbit (ATO) Transatlantic Aborts have various pre-chosen sites in Europe and north Africa, depending on the launch trajectory. John -- John Clear - jac (AT) panix (DOT) com http://www.clear-prop.org/ Back to top Blanche Guest Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:11 am    Post subject: Re: Shuttle emergency abort sites preparations? Vic7 <Vic7.2jgf74 (AT) news (DOT) aviationbanter.com> wrote: Quote: Blanche Wrote: The landing area is not chosen "a few minutes in advance". There's at least one orbit, usually 2 (90/180 min) for the final decision. That is quite true for a de-orbit landing, but what about a sub-orbital launch abort? Is an emergency landing site always available after a certain minimum altitude is reached? I am certain the engineers have calculated the answer to this question and the pilot and mission commander have that emergency procedure memorized, but I have no idea if there are any critical gaps short of orbit. Launch aborts are completely different, and depends entirely at what point in the launch process the decision is made to abort. There are alternate landing sites outside the USA. www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/sts-els.htm www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/tal_sites.html www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Aviation (Miscellaneous Topics) All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum Aviation----------------alt.aviationAviation safety EnhancementPlanes, gliders and flying in AustraliaAviation et pilotage (Français)rec.aviationAviation (Aerobatics)Hot air, gas balloons and airshipsHang-gliding, paragliding, foot-launched flightAircraft Design & BuildingInstrument Flight RulesAviation (Classifieds)Military AircraftNaval AviationAviation (Miscellaneous Topics)Owning AirplanesAviators (General Discussions)Aviation related productsAircraft RestorationHelicopters and rotary wing aircraftsFlight SimulationSailplanesAviation (Students)Light aircraftFlying related activities in the UK Airports----------------alt.airportsEdinburgh Airport Glasgow Airport Humberside Airport Luton Airport Aberdeen Airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.