Shuttle Being News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Seen to that point in the mercury, gemini and poll low programs, right, scott? >> that is correct. the, one thing that make it possible for us to use winged vehicles like the shuttle we're going to low earth orbit where the reentry speeds are about 18,000 miles-an-hour. so they could build a vehicle with thermal protection system that would actually protect the wings during reentry and it was a pretty big technological step if you think about doing this in the '70s. in fact you talked about the shuttle being bolted on top of the 747. you have to remember in the approach and landing tests it ac...

>> touch down. the nose of the shuttle being rotated down toward the flight deck. the parachute being deployed. and nose gear touched down in the end of a historic journey. and to the ship that has led the way time and time again we say farewell "discovery." >> jon: "discovery," the first of nasa's remaining shuttles to officially retire all together "discovery" has spent 365 days in orbit. its circled the planet nearly 6,000 times it all began with first mission on august 30th, 1984,. >> 3, 2, 1. yeah, ignition and we have liftoff. liftoff from "discovery" and the shuttle has cleared the towe...

>> looks like we lost the live pictures there of the final minutes of its landing there. as soon as we have that, we will bring that back to you. >> space shuttle "discovery" now on final approach to the kennedy space center. just more than 30 seconds to go. gear is down and locked. main gear touchdown. the nose of the shuttle being rotated down toward the flight deck. the parachute being deployed. and nose gear touchdown.

Crew can come out. i remember we were working feverishly, working hard, but very excited to be back on the ground. very excited to have had a successful mission. but we'll keep our focus to make sure that we go step by step methodically through the checklist. the quicker you do it, the quicker you can get out of the vehicle. and cool uf and recover and get something to drink and something to eat. and that sort of thing. >> sure. >> they're very focused and methodical right now. >> clay, i want you to stand by as well as john zarrella. i want to give our viewers another opportunity, if they wil...

Jon: we froze the shot there. there's been some kind of a loss. that's a live broadcast, that's the cockpit view that the shuttle commander sees, now live. >> final approach to the kennedy space center, more than 30 seconds to go. landing gear is down and locked. touchdown, the nose of the shuttle being rotated down toward the flight deck, parachute being deployed. and nose gear touchdown, and the end of an historic journey, and to the ship