Mar. 30, 2005

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
alan.brown@dfrc.nasa.gov

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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