Command Performance

[Jacques van Oene]

Dryden Flight Research Center
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, California 93523
Phone 661/276-3449
FAX 661/276-3566

Alan Brown
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Phone: 661/276-2665


Photo Release
RELEASE: 05-15P

COMMAND PERFORMANCE

Brig. Gen. Curtis Bedke, commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center
at Edwards Air Force Base, received some first-hand insight this week
on how to fly a Space Shuttle approach and landing, courtesy of NASA
astronaut and STS-114 mission commander Eileen Collins. Bedke was
aboard one of NASA's modified Grumman Gulfstream-II Shuttle Training
Aircraft Tuesday as Collins flew a series of simulated Space Shuttle
approaches to Edwards' main runway in preparation for the next
Shuttle mission. The Shuttle Discovery is targeted for liftoff on
mission STS-114 to the International Space Station on May 15, in a
launch window that extends to June 3, from NASA's Kennedy Space
Center, Fla. Although Kennedy is also the primary landing site for
Space Shuttle missions, flight crews also practice the Shuttle's
steep approach and landing at Edwards AFB in case weather or other
situations preclude a landing at the Florida site and force a
diversion to Edwards.

PHOTO EDITORS: A publication-quality photo to support this release is
available for downloading from the Internet at:

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/Visitors/HTML/EC05-0062-1.html.


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info