Pilot Point of View | Space Shuttle Landing

Experience the nail-biting moments of the STS-104 Space Shuttle Atlantis landing from the cockpit view, showcasing the remarkable piloting involved in guiding the space shuttle to a safe touchdown. This video highlights the precision required for a space shuttle landing.

On landing, the Shuttle was a pure glider — no propulsion, no go-around. After the deorbit burn, pilots managed a steep 20° glideslope and sink rates near 10,000 fpm, using S-turns and speedbrake to bleed excess energy. Touchdown required precise energy management and timing, making every approach a true one-shot dead-stick landing.

Atlantis STS-104 Astronaut Crew:
Commander: Steve Lindsey
Pilot: Charlie Hobaugh
Mission Specialist 1: Michael Gernhardt
Mission Specialist 2: Janet Kavandi
Mission Specialist 3: James Reilly

Shuttlesource is a video archive containing historical footage from the space shuttle program. It features rare and exclusive videos sourced from both private collections, NASA, and the U.S. National Archives.

The archive spans the program from 1979 to 2011, covering all major events in the program along with footage of every shuttle mission. It offers an extensive view of launches, landings, astronaut training, press briefings, mission operations, orbiter preparations, and news coverage.

The importance of Shuttlesource extends beyond preserving the historical record of the space shuttle program; it also serves as a vital resource for inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts. We extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to making this archive possible.

You can help preserve history by contributing rare videos. Shuttlesource accepts all formats, including audio cassettes and VHS tapes. Your contributions will help enrich this archive, ensuring that these valuable moments are not lost to time and can continue to inspire future generations.

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