Re: Is Shuttle "slipped" into crosswinds?

From Jim in Houston:
Now I get it. I didn't understand how that worked. But... I thought
the nose wheel steering was used to maintain alignment on the runway.
I remember that prior to nw steering they were using differential
braking which often resulted in blown tires.

Ok, the level of inaccuracy on this thread has just exceeded my
threshold for observation only...

Particularly, this notion of the shuttle blowing tires "often". That
goes totally against my understanding of the shuttle program history.

And for Danny, I have this point of feedback: the rudder is used even
when the autopilot is not engaged!

(And I find it curious that no one has straightened out the
inaccuracies that have been posted on that Crosswind DTO thread as
well.)

I probably shouldn't have used the word often. But I know for a fact,
and it is documented on the NASA web site, that nose wheel steering
was added. One of the reasons stated for adding the nw steering was
the wear on the brake system, and blown out tires. I will provide the
link when time allows.
I suspected the rudder was available to the CDR and PLT but am not
sure, I would like someone to clear that up.
As for the chute DTO please feel free to clear that up for us.

I would be interested to hear from Danny before elaborating, because I
know that he is well aware of the answers.

But Jim, you might find some satisfaction to hear that there ARE
astronauts who know how to fly with the rudder on the Space Shuttle!
Basic piloting skill like Danny learned in the Air Force.

....as for the Xwind DTO, the correction belongs on that thread.


~ CT

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