Orbiter Control Panel: Distance (Range)
The Space Shuttle Orbiter is the only part of the Shuttle Transportation System that reaches orbit. This section is the home of the crew as well as all the cargo and scientific experiments that the shuttle carries with it into orbit. At the end of the flight, this section of the shuttle glides to a landing like an airplane. Read about the orbiter using the links below and be ready to monitor distance from the launch site (range) during our launch simulation. You will be asked to SAY whatever is displayed in the red SAY box on your screen. You will also be asked to call out the distance when requested by the flight director.
NOTE: To reach proper orbit, the shuttle must be 670 miles or above at MECO.
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/basics/orbiter/index.html http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/basics/ascent.html