STS-3 - Full Mission Day 8 - The Landing

STS-3 was launched from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on March 22nd 1982. Onboard were astronauts Jack Lousma (CDR) and Gordon Fullerton (PLT). This was the 3rd, and longest flight in the Orbital Flight Test (OFT) program. Scheduled for 7 days the flight was extended 1 day due to weather conditions at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. WSMR was being used as an alternative to Edwards Air Force Base because of adverse weather at that site.

The audio is two-track, with Mission Control/Spacecraft communications in one channel and PAO in the other. Headphones are recommended.

The video starts during the final astronaut sleep period and a wake up about 9 hours before touchdown. The crew preps for re-entry and landing. The payload bay doors are closed for the final time and the shuttle oriented to re-entry attitude. OMS burn occurs over Australia with touchdown at White Sands some 45 minutes later. The video ends with post landing activities, including a ceremony with the astronauts. Photographs are added as appropriate.

I would like to extend my personal thanks to Col Jack Lousma, who has been instrumental in providing detailed descriptions of the mission and has answered any questions I have had. This has allowed me to produce something that is as near to accurate as to what was seen during the mission and has enhanced the look and realism of the work.

My thanks also go to the following people:

Dwight Steven- Boniecki - Who put me in contact with Jack!
Paolo Mangilli - Paolo's graphic work is second to none and his accurate portrayal of the MOCR is invaluable to this project
Steven Taylor - Steven continues to be an amazing supporter me and this channel. His advice and technical ability with simulators is outstanding.
Ed Hengleved - Ed has provided the majority of the photos from the mission. He is a fountain of knowledge and this project would not be so complete without him
Johannes Kemppenan - Johannes is the go to guy for anything technical, concerning checklists and other important mission details. The checklists are all from his collection
Mark Kirkman - Mark is an expert on everything "Shuttle" and has again leant me his knowledge for this series
Tom Usciak - Tom has given permission to use several batches of photos of the launch and pre-flight activities for STS-3 from his personal collection and the Usciak archive. Those have enhanced the look of the video.
Mike Fried - Mike (shuttlesource) has been more than generous with providing as much video as he has from STS-3 - His channel is the place to go for historic space shuttle video
David Morken - One of the Patreon Patrons! David helped with the launch and countdown proof watching checking for errors
Neicc - From the Discord channel - Neicc has provided help with the presentation of checklists and some re-colorizing of pictures

Thanks too to the Channel and Discord posse who continue to support my channels content. Big shout out to my Patrons on the Patreon - you are so awesome, supporting the content in the ways you do. You have helped me develop the channel content and I am always grateful for your continuing support.

This video is dedicated to the 1000's of people who worked on STS-3, to all the NASA and contractor staff and especially to the STS-3 crew, Jack Lousma and Gordon Fullerton. May Columbia find fair winds. Godspeed the crew of STS-3.

All media is courtesy of NASA except Tom Usciak and the Usciak Archive

Orbiter Space Simulator used for all simulator sequences

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