Message posted by Peter Merlin on August 10, 2005 at 9:35:40 PST:

The Space Shuttle Discovery made a spectacular predawn landing at Edwards yesterday (9 AUG 05). I had a prime viewing spot on the south side of the main runway near the B-1/B-2/B-52 parking area. The shuttle's arrival was heralded by the usual double sonic boom and, a few minutes later, Discovery appeared in the bright beams of xenon spotlights used to illuminate the runway. The combined roar of aerodynamic noise and the auxiliary power units makes the space glider sound like a jet.

Later, I had the opportunity to take some close-up photos of the orbiter as it was towed to the Shuttle Area at NASA Dryden. The torn thermal blanket near the cockpit windows clearly visible. I also met a few members of the STS-114 crew including shuttle pilot Jim "Vegas" Kelly.

Kelly was a project test pilot and assistant operations officer at Detachment 3, AFFTC, from June 1994 to August 1996.

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