Originally Posted by
jofunk
Hey Bob,
The landing speed is reasonable in the steep approach on the 80 powered shuttle with good aerodynamic breaking in the flare. The big shuttle will hopefully have a split rudder airbrake to help on final. I got the nose high takeoff attitude by shortening the mains although they are fixed. I have an idea to be able to shorten the main retracts by locking them partially retracted with a second strut that will swing away after takeoff. It will also help move the mains closer to the CG on takeoff. we'll figure it out with a little trial and error.... Is that your pic of the Buran?
No, that's a stock picture, but Louie and I got to see it and walk through it when we visited the Technik Museum in Speyer Germany last year.
Bob