NASA: A Journey Through Space Season 1 Episode 32 Space Shuttle Discovery STS-120 Landing
- November 7, 2007
- 21 min
NASA: A Journey Through Space season 1 episode 32, titled "Space Shuttle Discovery STS-120 Landing," documents the exciting moments leading up to the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery after a successful mission in space. This episode follows the crew of STS-120 as they prepare for their return trip to Earth after spending over two weeks in space.
The crew of STS-120, which includes Commander Pamela Melroy and Pilot George Zamka, had launched into space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 23, 2007. They had completed their important mission of delivering and installing the Harmony module to the International Space Station, which had further expanded the capabilities of the station.
As the crew prepares for landing, the episode shows the complexities and precision that go into the landing of a space shuttle. The pilot is at the helm, navigating the shuttle through the Earth's atmosphere to make a safe landing at the Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. The episode explores the technology involved in landing and the communication between the crew and mission control during the landing process.
The episode also highlights the emotional aspect of returning from space. The crew members express their joy at returning to their loved ones and their sadness at leaving the International Space Station and their fellow astronauts behind. They also discuss the knowledge and experience gained during their mission and how they will use this to further space exploration in the future.
The episode features interviews with the crew and other members of the NASA team involved in the mission, providing insight into the various aspects of space travel and the challenges they face. Overall, "Space Shuttle Discovery STS-120 Landing" captures the excitement, intricacy, and emotional aspects of the landing process and the impact of space travel on those involved.