Joseph Mason, Air Force Test Center chief historian. "Testing was done at Edwards that proved the concept that a space shuttle orbiter could return to Earth, manned and land on a conventional runway," said Dr. After four more tests, Edwards personnel had successfully demonstrated the reliability of the shuttle for routine approach and landings.
12, 1977 when the Space Shuttle Enterprise successfully launched from the back of the Boeing 747 SCA and landed on Rogers Dry Lake.
The first major milestone for the shuttle program at Edwards occurred Aug. Programs throughout the 1960's and 1970's such as the North American X-15, Northrop HL-10, X-24A and X-24B, tested hypersonic flight lifting body designs and aerodynamic characteristics manned atmospheric re-entry and the ability to land a piloted aircraft with no power on a conventional runway. While the world looked on in amazement, the Edwards community continued working with NASA to flight test the space shuttle and subsequently functioned as a critical support system when Edwards was picked as the primary alternate landing site. Just as Airman Day continues to be captivated by the shuttle program, people from all over the world have marveled at the country's space program from 1981 to 2011. She always told me to do my best and I can be whatever it is I wanted to be even an astronaut," said Day. "I remember growing up and watching various shuttle take offs and landings with my grandma and wanting to do that. "It was cool to see such an iconic piece of history."įor the young Airman, the opportunity to see Space Shuttle Endeavour up close reminded Day of how he was inspired as a child watching the space shuttle with his family.
That's what really moved me," said Airman Michael Day, 412th Communications Squadron. "I enjoyed being a part of something bigger than me, to look up at something that was actually in space and realize the countless hours and effort that went into putting that in motion. While Team Edwards gathered around the base to watch the historic arrival and takeoff, unaccompanied Airmen living in the dorms and family members of deployed spouses had the rare opportunity to get up close to the SCA and Space Shuttle Endeavour. When the SCA departed the following morning to deliver Space Shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, Calif., it was an appropriate ending to an epic chapter in American and aviation history that happens to be very personal for so many at Edwards. 20, piggy-backed on NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. (AFNS) - For the Edwards community who has been actively involved in NASA's Space Shuttle program since flight testing began in the 1970's, it was a bittersweet day when Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived one last time Sept.
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