Nasa space shuttle flight simulator series#
Nasa space shuttle flight simulator windows#

The outer glide slope aiming point was 7,500 feet (2,286 m) short of the runway threshold, and used PAPIs for visual guidance in addition to the MLS system. The nose of the aircraft was then dropped to increase speed to 300 knots (560 km/h), descending at a 20-degree angle on the outer glide slope (OGS). The pilot then rolled the STA at 12,000 feet (3,700 m), 7 miles (11 km) from landing. In a normal exercise, the pilot descended to 20,000 feet (6,000 m) at an airspeed of 280 knots (519 km/h), 15 miles (24 km) from the landing target. Both seat positions had a head-up display (HUD). The STA's normal flight controls were moved to the right, where the instructor sat.

Nasa space shuttle flight simulator windows#

Its flaps could deflect upwards to decrease lift as well as downwards to increase lift.Ĭovers were placed on the left hand cockpit windows to provide the same view as from a Shuttle cockpit, and the left-hand pilot's seat was fitted with the same controls as a Shuttle.

To match the descent rate and drag profile of the real Shuttle at 37,000 feet (11,300 m), the main landing gear of the C-11A was lowered (the nose gear stayed retracted due to wind load constraints) and engine thrust was reversed. After re-entry, the Shuttle was a very heavy glider (it was affectionately referred to as a 'flying brick') and as such had only one chance to land successfully.Ī STA flying above Discovery as it lands at the conclusion of STS-95 in 1998 The STA was particularly critical for Shuttle pilots in training because the Orbiter lacked atmospheric engines that would allow the craft to 'go around' after a poor approach. An investigation showed that a bolt failed, releasing the part from the aircraft. Divers later found the thrust reverser on the bottom of the nearby Banana River. A post-landing inspection showed that one of the 585-pound, 4-foot-wide, 5-foot-long thrust reversers had fallen off the aircraft. The aircraft was on final approach at 13,000 feet when onboard instruments indicated a malfunction on one of the jet engine thrust reversers. On board the aircraft was an unidentified NASA astronaut pilot and two training personnel.

Nasa space shuttle flight simulator series#

On December 3, 2003, a NASA Gulfstream II Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) was flying a series of simulated shuttle landings to the Kennedy Space Center shuttle landing facility. It was primarily flown by astronauts practicing landings at the Shuttle Landing Facility and White Sands Space Harbor as well as to assess weather conditions prior to Space Shuttle launches and landings. The STA was also used at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The four STAs were normally located at the NASA Forward Operating Location in El Paso, Texas and rotated through Ellington Field ( Houston, Texas) for maintenance. A redesigned cockpit provided a high-fidelity simulation of the Shuttle Orbiter's controls and pilot vantage point even the seats were fitted in the same position as those in the Space Shuttle.

The aircraft's exterior was modified to withstand the high aerodynamic forces incurred during training sorties. During the early phases of the Shuttle program, NASA considered using the Boeing 737 airliner as the basis for the STA, but rejected it due to cost and opted for the less-expensive Gulfstream II. NASA developed the STA using the Grumman Gulfstream II as the underlying aircraft platform. The STA was also flown to assess weather conditions just prior to Space Shuttle launches and landings. The Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) is a former NASA training vehicle that duplicated the Space Shuttle's approach profile and handling qualities, allowing Space Shuttle pilots to simulate Shuttle landings under controlled conditions before attempting the task on board the orbiter.