Airmen have front-row seat for Discovery landing

  • Published
  • By Eric Brian
  • 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  While the 45th Space Wing had an active role in supporting the Space Shuttle Discovery's 5.3 million-mile mission, a select group of its Airmen had the opportunity to watch the shuttle's landing firsthand July 17.

"Being asked to witness the landing was exciting," said Senior Airman Melissa Lucas, 45th Comptroller Squadron. "I knew that there was only limited seating, so I felt very privileged."

Weather forced a change in original approach routes. The shuttle swung around to come in from the northwest to land from north to south on Kennedy Space Center's Runway 15.

The orbiter hurled over the southwest coast of Florida at 16 times the speed of sound. The shuttle slowed to 225 mph by making a series of sharp banking turns before dropping out of an 11,000-foot cloud ceiling and making a textbook landing.

"It was crazy," Airman Lucas said. "It completely looked like it was falling out of the sky. I couldn't grasp how they were going to make this perfect landing at such a high speed. The clock countdown was right in front of us and it landed right on time; it's amazing how they do that. It was beautiful and something I will never forget -- just another unforgettable and outstanding experience only the Air Force could've given me."

Spectators spontaneously cheered and applauded the landing.

"When I heard the cheers from the crowd around me I thought how Americans rally around each other in the worst of times and in the best of times, and the shuttle landing is the best of times," said Chief Master Sgt. James Parkhill, 45th SW command chief. "I also thought to myself, no other country in the world can do this."

Discovery's landing was the first at Kennedy Space Center in four years, and only the second shuttle mission since the Columbia disaster in February 2001. Inclement weather at Cape Canaveral during STS-114 forced Discovery to land at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Aug. 9, 2005.

"STS-121 was a major success," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space Wing commander. "The men and women of the 45th Space Wing supported the mission admirably. I'm happy to see the shuttle program back in business and NASA back in the space station construction business. The 45th Space Wing is ready to support all future shuttle missions."

NASA officials said the good shape of Discovery after its latest mission will help keep the Space Shuttle Atlantis on track for its scheduled Aug. 28 launch.