March 2007
AESC-6 to return Saturday
Posted Sunday, March 25, 2007
The crew of AESC-6, the last Skylab-Columbia crew, is scheduled to return next Saturday. In addition, the landing of the AESC-6 will mark the end of another manned space program for SimNASA in addition to the retiring of the of the Apollo style capsules. The use of the Apollo capsule began August 6, 2002 with the launch of Apollo 7. The Apollo style of spacecraft has seen both Earth orbit as well as lunar duties. Since March of 2003 the spacecraft has been used exclusively for Skylab-Columbia.
At the beginning of the AESC program in December 2003, the Apollo capsule was modified to sit up to six astronauts. Primary used as an escape capsule system for Skylab-Columbia, the spacecraft has ferried a number of crews up to the aging SCSS.
Scheduled for undocking a few hours before reentry, AESC-6 will also mark another first for SimNASA as the Apollo style capsule will attempt to land at Edwards other than its normal oceanic landing. The purpose of the landing is to test new systems at Edwards as well as the feasibility of capsule type entries for the upcoming Orion spacecraft.
Landing is expected around 23:56 hrs UT on March 31st. Coverage will be carried on SimNASA LIVE!.
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