ATLANTIS "GO" FOR RE-ENTRY

***UPDATE: 3:21 AM PST--TV coverage of the landing was great. It was still dark in Florida as Atlantis approached KSC. When the shuttle turned on final approach, NASA switched to the cockpit cam and we were able to enjoy the same view as the pilot and commander. The landing was picture perfect. If you missed the landing, here's the final minute. (WaPo)


SST 115 has been given clearance to land on Thursday morning at 6:21 am EST. On orbit 186, the crew will be making re-entry on this landing track:

Again, NASA is sticking with its policy of not bringing the shuttle back home over populated areas. So, unless you're in Central America or on a cruise ship in the gulf, you won't be able to see the re-entry in the dark, early morning sky. If the first landing opportunity is "waved off," the shuttle's next try will be on orbit 187 (landing track).

In the meantime, you can view the shuttle's location live as it orbits the earth waiting for the green light tomorrow morning.

Mark and Andrea get to watch both liftoff and landing from the comfort of their homes. Somehow, that doesn't seem fair.