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.
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