# Bringing the Space Shuttle Back from Orbit

**URL:** https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/bringing-the-space-shuttle-back-from-orbit/3711
**Category:** Continuity
**Tags:** space-shuttle, reentry, space
**Created:** [7 September 2023 11:26 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/bringing-the-space-shuttle-back-from-orbit/3711 "2023-09-07T11:26:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/johnwalker/32/17415_2.png) [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)
#### Post date: [7 September 2023 11:26 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/bringing-the-space-shuttle-back-from-orbit/3711/1 "2023-09-07T11:26:37Z")

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[![](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7e1f95d3651c7fdcda82186724367902b7138a1a.jpeg "Paul Dye: What It Was Like to Bring the Shuttle Home From Orbit") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHnMXkgsjCg)

Paul Dye was a Senior Flight Director at NASA who was “on console” for many Space Shuttle re-entries and landings. He discusses the physics, engineering, aerodynamics, and teamwork required to land a 78 tonne glider from Mach 25 in orbit to wheels stop on the runway. “Actually, we didn’t need to clear much airspace for a Shuttle landing. When we began the turn over the runway, we were still higher than airliners fly.” “The wings were mostly for the (pre-landing) flare. Before that, we were mostly dropping like a rock.