The Orbit and Landing Chronicles of the Space Shuttle

How Many Times Did the Space Shuttle Orbit and Land?
It depends on the mission parameters. The number of orbits and landings can range from a hundred times to a thousand or more. This article delves into the intricacies of the space shuttle's orbit and landing processes, highlighting the significance of these operations in space exploration history.

Orbiting the Earth

The Orbiter, part of the space shuttle, would typically make several orbits around the Earth during each mission. The frequency and duration of orbits varied based on the mission's goals, duration, and specific tasks to be accomplished.

Landing Process

Erstwhile Space Shuttle Landings

The landing of the space shuttle was a one-shot event, which meant that once the shuttle had entered the Earth's atmosphere, it had to land at the intended site. There was no option for an 'aborted landing' or 'retry landing'. The reentry burn dictated that the decision to land was irrevocable.

Preferred Landing Site

The preferred landing site for the space shuttle was the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Even if the shuttle landed somewhere else, it would need to be ferried back to Florida for the next launch as the launch site was always from Florida.

Back-up Landing Site

Despite the prime landing site being Florida, Edwards Air Force Base in California served as an auxiliary landing site due to its proximity and safety measures for landing. On some occasions, flights intended to land at the Cape would end up at Edwards due to adverse weather conditions. Fifty-nine missions have landed at Edwards Air Force Base when the Cape was not suitable for landing.

Exception to the Rule

Notable among the missions, all other space shuttle flights landed after every launch, except for two tragedies: the Challenger and Columbia disasters. Each shuttle had its own unique story, and the Enterprise orbiter, though never used for space travel, still managed to land on the ground several times during its lifespan.

Conclusion
The space shuttle's orbit and landing are integral parts of space exploration, each mission adding to the body of knowledge and capability in space travel. The number of orbits and landings can vary significantly based on the mission's objectives, ensuring that each flight is a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess.