Path: utzoo!dptcdc!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!skipper!belle
From: belle@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Steve Belle)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Shuttle schedule
Summary: landing answers...
Message-ID: <258@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov>
Date: 18 Apr 89 16:06:52 GMT
References: <2192@mit-caf.MIT.EDU>
Distribution: usa
Organization: NASA Ames-Dryden FRF, Edwards, CA
Lines: 33

In article <2192@mit-caf.MIT.EDU>, paul@mit-caf.MIT.EDU (Paul Meyer) writes:
> 
> 	I'll be moving to Pheonix this summer, so I'll be able to drive up
> and see a shuttle land finally.  What's the normal procedure?  Is there 
> somewhere nearby to camp out?  Does it cost anything or require any 
> paperwork to get in?  On my map of California, Edwards looks pretty big.  
> where on the base does the shuttle land?  Southern California, here I
> come,
> 	

    Edwards AFB is a big base, but the centerpiece is Rogers Dry Lake which is
usually named as such on most maps.  There are several runways criss-crossing the
lake bed. These lake bed runways aren't prepared surfaces; just the hard clay of
the lake bed. There is one concrete runway at Edwards.  Most of the time, the 
orbiters land on the lake bed although at the last landing, the concrete runway
was used to conduct some braking tests.
    The runway of choice for landings is usually runway 17, a seven mile runway
running roughly north-south.  The shuttle's trajectory usually brings them over
the coast of California around Santa Barbara, cruising along at Mach 7 or 8, heading
straight for Edwards.  The orbiter glides over the lake bed and banks left, lines up
with the runway, and touches down.  You'll hear a double sonic boom 3 or 4 minutes 
before touch down.
    There is a public viewing site for non DoD missions on the East shore of the dry
lake.  This site is on Air Force property, but there are no guard gates to go through
to get there.  The viewing site opens for public landings 24 hours prior to landing.
There is no paperwork to do or passes to obtain; just come.  The viewing site is 
large; most people who come show up early with motor homes or trailers.  You can camp
right at the viewing site.  The Air Force usually provides portable toilets, and 
sometimes there are others selling food and souveniers.
    To get to the public viewing site, find your way to either California highway 14 
about 5 miles north of Lancaster or California highway 58 about 20 miles east of
Mojave.  There are signs along both of these roads directing you to the public 
viewing site.