2007-08-26 02:43:43 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Because of the orbit, it would be difficult to land that far north. The shuttle requires a really long runway and when it lands it ties up the runway for several hours as it just sits there fuming noxious gases and cooling down. There are two designated landing points with equipment to handle a shuttle which are far enough apart that weather problems in one should leave the other free. It costs so much to load the shuttle on the 747 carrier and move it from western location that they prefer to wait a day if possible to land on east coast.
2007-08-26 02:51:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since when does flat land make a good landing place for the shuttle? It takes a specially reinforced landing strip of enormous length to handle something the size of the shuttle, and so far as I know, nothing in Kansas meets those qualifications.
2007-08-26 02:52:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The space shuttle's orbital inclination doesn't take it that far north on it's missions. If one did (no such missions are planned) it could land at an airport that had a long enough runway.
2007-08-26 03:50:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sure thing, if you have a landing strip 15,000 feet long by 300 ft wide.
the shuttle flies like a brick with wings, so its best to have a big target.
2007-08-26 02:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by Faesson 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It lands in the ocean, so no, Kansas would not be a good choice.
2007-08-26 02:49:41 · answer #5 · answered by chante 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋