I remember watching this live. I was stationed on the USS Jacksonville (SSN699). We were the newest submarine in the fleet. My comment at the time was, "We may no longer be serving on the most advanced machine in the world."
@KangoV it is absurd to consider that something so complex like space compared to the deep depths of the ocean can be contextually simple. I read something that men have spent around 300 hours on the moon but only three hours at the deepest known depths of the ocean.
I was there. During the communication blackout there were something like 500 thousand people holding their breath. We knew tiles were missing and successful re-entry was not sure. When Columbia started talking again the crowd went wild. They were louder than the sonic booms with the cheering. I am tearing up over it again.
I was there too. What an exciting time to be in the USAF!! My problem was - I was working. It was OK tho - my post closed a couple hours before the landing and the "runway" painted on the lakebed was pointed right at me. Columbia flew/ landed coming straight toward me. I shed a tear or two when Columbia disintegrated over Texas...
@RenaissanceRecorders Water of Life I don't even feel like Columbia was destroyed by a lightning strike. It was the RCC panel on left wing that got damaged really bad, then ultimately destroyed Columbia.
Christopher Thorkon I mean compared to 2020 and the last 4 years there is so much political divide, racism, coronavirus, hatred for each other, on the other note the future for space flight looks very exciting.
Bob Marley just had a few more days to live on the 14th of April 1981...Today is all we have, all. So choose to make it a wonderful day as much as possible, for u and the world.
+BluntForceTrauma666 We all watched this live at a Steak & Brew in Manhattan ... half the people there were openly tearful when the cameras first caught sight of that shuttle for the first time and cheered when she touched down - what a magnificent sight she was, coming in! Don't think you're weird at all.
I wish that I was the chase plane pilot -- to look out my canopy and see the space shuttle right there -- that would have been an awesome thrill and to know that I'm it's guardian until it's safely on the ground -- what an honor.
That's one of the things I remember most - Columbia landing with the T-38 chase planes, as if it was an ocean liner coming in to port accompanied by small boats.
I watched this live on TV in Australia as a young teenager. It was so tense and exciting. That phrase, "Welcome home Columbia, beautiful, beautiful", has been burned into my mind ever since. That was the moment I knew she was home. The fact that she - and every shuttle after her - glided down from orbit still amazes me.
It’s wild to truly consider how basically every single variable has to be perfect for this to succeed and how many times it has with so many variables to go possibly go wrong.
After watching the final launch of the orbiter Atlantis today (5/14/2010), I had to go back and watch this. I can still remember when classes were stopped in school for both the launch and later the landing of our first shuttle. Even when I was just a kid, I have never been so proud of my country. The shuttle program was my Apollo and I can only imagine how proud my parents were of everything that NASA has done. Thank you NASA.
For the benefit of those asking, this was the ABC News coverage of the first landing of the Space Shuttle. You can hear the late Frank Reynolds giving commentary throughout. I was credentialed as a media technician for ABC Radio on loan from KENR in Houston, where I was Chief Engineer. As I recall, ABC had two camera positions at Edwards AFB, one on the north ramp of runway 23, where Frank was reporting, and a second position on an elevated platform at a remote press site on the south side of the runway, roughly even with point at which the shuttle executed its pre-flare, just prior to touchdown. The video from 4:37 to 6:05 is from that camera. I was standing at that position when I heard Frank Reynolds comment on the comm loop that they had just heard the sonic boom on their side of the runway, about a mile away. We had yet to hear it, so knowing we had about 5 seconds, I commented to the photographers around me "Standby for sonic boom in 3...2...1...." Right on cue... POOM POOM! Those guys looked at me like I was some kind of space wizard. Nope, just good at math. Sadly, that would be the only shuttle landing I would ever witness. I would however observe, from the press site at the Cape, two launches of Columbia, STS-2 and STS-4, as well as the first launch of the Challenger, STS-6 in 1983.
Every time I hear Frank Reynolds cover this stuff in these videos, I feel like a kid again. His excitement makes me wish for a time when the future was bright.
I was there. If you ever find the video taken from inside this landing you'll see a faint black line going up a hill. I and my family are sitting all over our VW station wagon watching it come directly at us. It was one of the most exciting pieces of history I ever witnessed.
I saw Columbia launch once in the 80's. I was positioned at Cocoa Beach about 10 miles from the Cape. many people had radios on so I heard the broadcast to which helped with all the distances and speed while watching it through my binoculars. It gave me goosebumps. I saw the solid rockets separate, and followed them down for a bit, then couldn't find the shuttle after that. Its amazing how fast it reaches its altitude, and speed. Glad atleast I got to see it once.
Cocoa Beach...memories my dad was at Patrick A.F.B living in Palm Bay, use to go to Satellite beach but I could watch them go up at Cape Canaveral right from my back yard.
I remember being amazed at the time. It's still a great feat of engineering even today. The shuttle is gone and all we got now is iPads and Smartphones! :(
This was stunning when we were on the flightline of Edwards Air Force Base! The sonic boom was deafening and spectacular, your whole body felt it. Very fun to go home to military housing and watch NASA all over our base. An extreme honor. Thanks for this vid!!
I worked Shuttle at VAFB & saw it land there but Thiokol blew the Oring problem & NASA got shady with both that & Columbia disasters. At this time we had a great space program & I was proud that I had a part in it in my 20's.
It happened in the dead of night in the UK so I probably saw it on the TV news - I still have a copy of National Geographic with this as the cover story (there's an article by Tom Wolfe).
schtaan2 I got to watch it live. I was in my thirties and a life-long space exploration enthusiast. I was jumping up and down, pumping my fist in the air. I thought it was the beginning of Humanity in space. Thirty-some years later all I can do is shake my head.
Such a beautiful thing, I watched this live on TV. Once they started landing the shuttle in Florida, my house is in the flight path and the sonic booms were amazing. Night landings would jolt you out of bed as everything shook and the windows rattled. I miss it a lot.
That's great. We Yanks always love the Aussies. One of the few countries that sent troops to help us in Vietnam. That war was a mistake in hindsight but that is always 20/20. Cheers...
I remember Columbia landing at Edwards after the first mission. My oldest son was three yo and second son was six weeks old. I miss the shuttle program now. RIP the crews of Challenger and Columbia and was truly a heartbreaking time in our history.
lovely landing sad want happen to columbia and 7 brave astronauts this lovely shuttle will be miss and lovely space shuttle challanger and brave astronauts r.i.p in the heavens of space 😊😊😊
I wonder if astronauts ever make beeping noises when they're sitting around the breakfast table, just for fun. "Copy those cornflakes BEEP roger that BEEP".
The reporters kept talking over the good stuff. If I recall correctly Young jokingly asked if they wanted him to taxi it up to the hangar, and Mission Control said, “No we’ll dust it off first.”
I remember my grade two teacher come screeching into the classroom with a tv set on wheels so we could watch this live. I still think it’s awesome to watch today. Thank you Mrs Keatley.
What a time of heroes. I remember that feeling. You were on top of the world, America. Still makes me shake my head, grin & sometimes get just a little bit sad.... As we used to say in Aus, "On Ya!" 👏💛
I was there. I was doing security police detail for crowd control. I was stationed at Edwards AFB from January 1980 - May 1983. Did 2 security police details while stationed at Edwards AFB. Very proud to have served
Randall - I was a cop at Eddie's about the same time. (May80 - Dec83) I don't recognize your name. - NOT saying you weren't there. I just don't remember that name. Help me out? SrA T. Papay.
I worked at the CBPO. I was Security Police Augmentee assigned crowd control. Did 2 of the landings. But my main job was working at the Consolidated Base Personnel Office
I almost find it sad that theres only 2 thousand views for this post. This footage is just unbelievable. I was 6, a lil young to appreciate how amazing a feat it was to successfully launch and land this new space vehicle that really only functioned on paper for years. Finally, I watch this and think about how thankful all of you should be that space exploration didnt count on ME inventing it. It still boggles my mind humans can come up with how to do this stuff......
I saw a few Edwards landings.The best was a last minute call to land there,went racing up to Base.A person just waved thru the line of cars and we wound up in the bleachers for the VIP seating.Shuttle flew right in front of us right before touchdown.VERY IMPRESSIVE and she was a big bird from that vantage point.Also managed to get my young 10 year old or so nephew to a landing,glad of that. Then there was the time people were parked along the roadside and walking in.Decided to drive the Baja Bug in.BIG MISTAKE! Next thing I knew I had a helicopter in front of my car with a crew dressed in black and faces covered,on the side pointing a bunch of rifles at me ,and a loudspeaker yelling LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!!!! Ummm....I left.IMMEDIATELY.
That was the smoothest landing I have ever seen of any plane, ever. Not to mention the fact that it was the goddamn space shuttle, which required essentially two pilots and three first officers' worth of work.
I broke down + teared up when I visited the Smithsonian, and touched John Glens Mercury Capsule. I remember waking up early with my father and watching the early Merc 'shots' several of which were postponed until another day.
Remembered it like it was yesterday!....April 10th 1981...Watched it with My Dad by my side. Then four yrs later I've joined The United States Navy in October 1985 for a Great twenty years of Naval Aviation Serviced as an Aviation Mechanic and Flight Mechanic having Retired in October 31st 2005. I've sailed on The USS JOHN YOUNG DD 973 out of San Diego Ca. While on HSL 47 DETACHMENT 2....Stationed at Naval Air Station North Island....Straighted from P. R. Angel Marte....God Bless!!!!
I'm 52 years old tomorrow, I was 10 years old when I saw this live on TV as we had off from school just to witness this even. It was amazing! 42 years later I still remember it perfectly.
it's wild that with 1970s technology we made a machine that could go into space like a rocket and come back like a plane. like are you kidding me, this thing came down from actual fking space on stubby little wings with no thrusters to speak of, screams in at several times the speed of sound, and nails the landing 100+ times? i think it's honestly amazing it only blew up twice.
And I Was There. The night before was the biggest party I have ever been to. They told us that there would be no supplies on the desert floor, so come prepared. HA. Every group on base had a venue set up. And there were Live Bands and Dance Floors. You couldn't walk 40 feet before you came to another beer stand. And with that, burgers, dogs, chili, salads, kabobs, etc. In the morning, they were all making breakfast, and Oh such Delicious coffee. For those who had over indulged, one set up was making Bloody Mary's. Oh, and the souveniers, I have a Gold, Laser Etched art of the view of the shuttle as it lifted off. Awesome. And as they say, "A Good Time Was Had By All". Cheers🍷
To all the people wanting the shuttle back, I'd like it too but: 1: It was extremely dangerous (challenger, Columbia) 2: It was extremely expensive 3: It required extensive overhauls after each flight 4: There'd be little use for it unless the USA goes for another huge leo manned space station after the iss. 5: The (heavily compromised) design was aproved by the Nixon administration, bit outdated by now. 6: Did I mention the design was heavily compromised due to congress and (initially) the pentagon all having wildly different needs and ideas. Not to mention the SRB's (Challenger) attached to keep the arms industry in the game.
Despite all its flaws, the shuttle gave us the idea of a REUSABLE launch vehicle. In a way, the idea lives on in SpaceX's Falcon rocket. Like the orbiter, the first stage of the vehicle can be used repeatedly, so long as it can be recovered. And on the upside, it doesn't require input from a human pilot to be able to land.
Thank you for this upload. I was 15 at the time, and I told my mom I had a stomach ache to get out of school, so I could watch the shuttle landing on TV!
Man, seeing this happen in '81 must have been mind blowing! After seeing the capsules of the 60's/early 70's, this would have looked like a huge leap forward.
It could also have failed spectacularly. I wasn't convinced the first real launch would work, but, well, I guess the engineers knew more than I did. I was 14 at the time. The shuttle program had its tragedies, which only goes to show what the engineers down in their little pits have to say is a lot more important than some management commitee trying to keep up appearances.
I was there too, with ABC News, right on the lakebed at the remote Press Site at the approach end of Runway 23. We had been told that a sonic boom was likely, but I wasn't expecting a double shot. What a seminal moment!
The two bravest men ever .Back when Americans had so much pride in our country, sadly that is gone and the USA has become a big joke to other countries .
Fantastic Scene! Happy ending to STS-1 Mission, the greatest test flight ever. Best wishes to the Crew Dragon Demo-2 crew in space onboard the ISS now.
Crazy. I watched Columbia Take It’s First Flight Up as a young boy, And It’s Last Flight Up as a young man. “both Launches”. (and many more in between) And was unfortunate that I watched the breakup while reentering while on a trip in TX. Felt like I lost part of myself when she broke apart. Was lucky enough to get to see the collection of semi-reconstructed debris at the VAB at the cape a few years back. Couldn’t help but feel almost sick. #NeverForgetColumbia
I remember watching this live. I was stationed on the USS Jacksonville (SSN699). We were the newest submarine in the fleet. My comment at the time was, "We may no longer be serving on the most advanced machine in the world."
Thank you for your Service 🙏
You’re right cuz this masterpiece is obviuosly better
I was 2 and a half when this happened.
Space is easy. Deep sea is hard!
@KangoV it is absurd to consider that something so complex like space compared to the deep depths of the ocean can be contextually simple. I read something that men have spent around 300 hours on the moon but only three hours at the deepest known depths of the ocean.
RIP John Young. Thanks for the memories.
He sure buttered the bread on that landing.
I was there. During the communication blackout there were something like 500 thousand people holding their breath. We knew tiles were missing and successful re-entry was not sure. When Columbia started talking again the crowd went wild. They were louder than the sonic booms with the cheering. I am tearing up over it again.
I was there too. What an exciting time to be in the USAF!! My problem was - I was working. It was OK tho - my post closed a couple hours before the landing and the "runway" painted on the lakebed was pointed right at me. Columbia flew/ landed coming straight toward me.
I shed a tear or two when Columbia disintegrated over Texas...
I was there too but inside the shuttle
sweeeeet 😁👌
God is still looking after America
@RenaissanceRecorders Water of Life I don't even feel like Columbia was destroyed by a lightning strike. It was the RCC panel on left wing that got damaged really bad, then ultimately destroyed Columbia.
How can you not fill up with pride after seeing this? This was America at its best.
before politics :(
Don't wanna argue but Obama did shut down NASA.
@Echote I know they didnt shut down they just got no funding.
I remember being quite impressed at the time all the way in Europe. I was eleven and I made model versions of the shuttle after that.
British idea and design usual uk government failed to fund it
2020 wishing we could return to 1981 .
Yep, the future was bright, there was so much left to explore, the American people believed they could achieved anything, we all had national pride
Me, I would rather not....the shooting of Ronald Reagan, the shooting of John Paul II, the assassination of Anwar Sadat -- quite a bloody year.
Christopher Thorkon I mean compared to 2020 and the last 4 years there is so much political divide, racism, coronavirus, hatred for each other, on the other note the future for space flight looks very exciting.
Bob Marley just had a few more days to live on the 14th of April 1981...Today is all we have, all. So choose to make it a wonderful day as much as possible, for u and the world.
Color me weird, but _every time_ I see a shuttle launch or landing video - my eyes tear up. Every time...
+BluntForceTrauma666 So true.
me too......it's such a visible expression of the human spirit, our sense of adventure and scientific exploration.
Richard Mitchell Well said sir, well said!
+BluntForceTrauma666 We all watched this live at a Steak & Brew in Manhattan ... half the people there were openly tearful when the cameras first caught sight of that shuttle for the first time and cheered when she touched down - what a magnificent sight she was, coming in! Don't think you're weird at all.
people now days don't apreciate this, I love the Space program and specially the Space Shuttle and I miss it so much...
I remember watching this as a child. I grabbed my old cassette recorder and taped what I could. I still have the recording. It still gives me a kick
sweeeeet 😁👌
roger go at throttle up....(crumple sounds)
@@davidca96 ? that was extremely disrespectful
You should transfer it to digital and upload it here, maybe the quality is better!
I'm not sure, but if it's an original, I'd bet that tape is worth a little dough to a devoted collector!
I wish that I was the chase plane pilot -- to look out my canopy and see the space shuttle right there -- that would have been an awesome thrill and to know that I'm it's guardian until it's safely on the ground -- what an honor.
I actually remember when they said “thank you Chase” just after landing
That's one of the things I remember most - Columbia landing with the T-38 chase planes, as if it was an ocean liner coming in to port accompanied by small boats.
I watched this live on TV in Australia as a young teenager. It was so tense and exciting. That phrase, "Welcome home Columbia, beautiful, beautiful", has been burned into my mind ever since. That was the moment I knew she was home.
The fact that she - and every shuttle after her - glided down from orbit still amazes me.
It’s wild to truly consider how basically every single variable has to be perfect for this to succeed and how many times it has with so many variables to go possibly go wrong.
Don't forget the challenger mission
Well with the exception of two... but yeah I know what you mean.
Columbia didn't deserve its fate.
so true, nothing could be done in STS-107
Exactly
Had Columbia didn't destroyed, people will be able to see it on museum, and she will be well known, just like Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour.
Yep, Columbia would have ended up in Chicago. Instead it was in a zillion pieces over Texas.
@@AlonsoRules Just like Challenger.. It left big pieces of the orbiter.
After watching the final launch of the orbiter Atlantis today (5/14/2010), I had to go back and watch this. I can still remember when classes were stopped in school for both the launch and later the landing of our first shuttle. Even when I was just a kid, I have never been so proud of my country. The shuttle program was my Apollo and I can only imagine how proud my parents were of everything that NASA has done. Thank you NASA.
This happened when I was a senior in high school. It was a symbol of the future.
Now its a relic of the past.
Well said.
i will never get tired of anything space. still miss the shuttle program. we need another.
Twas a beautiful space shuttle! Rest in peace shuttle Colombia and her last crew!
I just wish this was 2003 landing
Rhat was my birth year.
+Monster Ngu (Eric Ngu) Sorry, It is T, not R.
+Alex Gutierrez your right it didn't explode it just broke apart instead
+Alex Gutierrez ...what? No. Columbia broke up during reentry in 2003
yes but this Columbia shuttle mission didn't break up that's why i sad I just wish this was 2003 landing
101 dislikes? Must be flat-earthers.....
How can anyone dislike this is awesome footage
+30 dislikes
@Me you and the Animal shut the fuck up dickwad
@Me you and the Animal "You fuck up spastic."
Good one. Got anymore pithy, witty gems like that one?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hahahahaha yeah they always be thinging about everything is flat like them brain fu......sad
For the benefit of those asking, this was the ABC News coverage of the first landing of the Space Shuttle. You can hear the late Frank Reynolds giving commentary throughout. I was credentialed as a media technician for ABC Radio on loan from KENR in Houston, where I was Chief Engineer. As I recall, ABC had two camera positions at Edwards AFB, one on the north ramp of runway 23, where Frank was reporting, and a second position on an elevated platform at a remote press site on the south side of the runway, roughly even with point at which the shuttle executed its pre-flare, just prior to touchdown. The video from 4:37 to 6:05 is from that camera.
I was standing at that position when I heard Frank Reynolds comment on the comm loop that they had just heard the sonic boom on their side of the runway, about a mile away. We had yet to hear it, so knowing we had about 5 seconds, I commented to the photographers around me "Standby for sonic boom in 3...2...1...." Right on cue... POOM POOM! Those guys looked at me like I was some kind of space wizard. Nope, just good at math.
Sadly, that would be the only shuttle landing I would ever witness. I would however observe, from the press site at the Cape, two launches of Columbia, STS-2 and STS-4, as well as the first launch of the Challenger, STS-6 in 1983.
The late Frank Reynolds was a legend. They don’t make news anchors like him anymore.
I just love how they ride up to Columbia in a old beat up RV. Welcome home Ya'll. God I miss those days when we were free.
It was a new RV then.
Sad that this magnificent ship was lost
The first two.
The whole nation was watching with immense pride...including me. This is the best and most beautiful landing...ever!
Holy crap sunking, don't you know the Shuttle is just a jet plane?. Those bay doors don't open, the rest of the jet engine and tank is in there.
Did you read that in National Enquirer? Was that the same issue of "Titanic Baby Found?"
@@thepowerofzero4534 Holy shit! So NASA have sent up a jet plane up in space, impressive!
Every time I hear Frank Reynolds cover this stuff in these videos, I feel like a kid again. His excitement makes me wish for a time when the future was bright.
I was there. If you ever find the video taken from inside this landing you'll see a faint black line going up a hill. I and my family are sitting all over our VW station wagon watching it come directly at us. It was one of the most exciting pieces of history I ever witnessed.
Columbia is my favorite ship. It's chilling to see the remains of it and Challenger very respectfully displayed at Kennedy Space Center.
Wait, you can actually view those as a visitor?
I saw Columbia launch once in the 80's. I was positioned at Cocoa Beach about 10 miles from the Cape. many people had radios on so I heard the broadcast to which helped with all the distances and speed while watching it through my binoculars. It gave me goosebumps. I saw the solid rockets separate, and followed them down for a bit, then couldn't find the shuttle after that. Its amazing how fast it reaches its altitude, and speed. Glad atleast I got to see it once.
Cocoa Beach...memories my dad was at Patrick A.F.B living in Palm Bay, use to go to Satellite beach but I could watch them go up at Cape Canaveral right from my back yard.
I remember being amazed at the time. It's still a great feat of engineering even today. The shuttle is gone and all we got now is iPads and Smartphones! :(
My dad did structural dynamics testing on the first space shuttle. I almost forgot what a technological marvel that thing was. Man, I miss it!
This was stunning when we were on the flightline of Edwards Air Force Base! The sonic boom was deafening and spectacular, your whole body felt it. Very fun to go home to military housing and watch NASA all over our base. An extreme honor. Thanks for this vid!!
Me too
I remember getting up at dawn when I was eight to watch the Columbia land.
Well I don’t know where you live, but I had just gotten home from school.
@@thomasrudder9639 I live in New Zealand.
Damn but that's flying. Beyond epic. How many 1000's of miles and he lands it on a dime. Damn.
I worked Shuttle at VAFB & saw it land there but Thiokol blew the Oring problem & NASA got shady with both that & Columbia disasters. At this time we had a great space program & I was proud that I had a part in it in my 20's.
I missed this live on tv in 1981 as my family didn't have any video recorder then, expensive mashines then. So it just took 36 years to watch it!!!
It happened in the dead of night in the UK so I probably saw it on the TV news - I still have a copy of National Geographic with this as the cover story (there's an article by Tom Wolfe).
schtaan2 I got to watch it live. I was in my thirties and a life-long space exploration enthusiast. I was jumping up and down, pumping my fist in the air. I thought it was the beginning of Humanity in space. Thirty-some years later all I can do is shake my head.
Such a beautiful thing, I watched this live on TV. Once they started landing the shuttle in Florida, my house is in the flight path and the sonic booms were amazing. Night landings would jolt you out of bed as everything shook and the windows rattled. I miss it a lot.
Breaks my heart that columbia ended up in disaster
Remember watching this as a 12 year old on TV in Australia. Made a huge impression! Loved spacecraft and astronomy ever since. Inspiring times.
That's great. We Yanks always love the Aussies. One of the few countries that sent troops to help us in Vietnam. That war was a mistake in hindsight but that is always 20/20. Cheers...
I remember Columbia landing at Edwards after the first mission. My oldest son was three yo and second son was six weeks old. I miss the shuttle program now. RIP the crews of Challenger and Columbia and was truly a heartbreaking time in our history.
I remember so well watching this FIRST landing of a space shuttle...and had watched the launch earlier.....was an amazing time in America
lovely landing sad want happen to columbia and 7 brave astronauts this lovely shuttle will be miss and lovely space shuttle challanger and brave astronauts r.i.p in the heavens of space 😊😊😊
John Young did it all.He is by far the most accomplished astronaut.
I love the Quindar beeps!
I wonder if astronauts ever make beeping noises when they're sitting around the breakfast table, just for fun. "Copy those cornflakes BEEP roger that BEEP".
The reporters kept talking over the good stuff. If I recall correctly Young jokingly asked if they wanted him to taxi it up to the hangar, and Mission Control said, “No we’ll dust it off first.”
I remember my grade two teacher come screeching into the classroom with a tv set on wheels so we could watch this live. I still think it’s awesome to watch today.
Thank you Mrs Keatley.
Absolutely stunning moment.
The real definition of awesome.
What a time of heroes. I remember that feeling. You were on top of the world, America. Still makes me shake my head, grin & sometimes get just a little bit sad.... As we used to say in Aus, "On Ya!" 👏💛
I was there. I was doing security police detail for crowd control. I was stationed at Edwards AFB from January 1980 - May 1983. Did 2 security police details while stationed at Edwards AFB. Very proud to have served
Randall - I was a cop at Eddie's about the same time. (May80 - Dec83) I don't recognize your name. - NOT saying you weren't there. I just don't remember that name. Help me out? SrA T. Papay.
I worked at the CBPO. I was Security Police Augmentee assigned crowd control. Did 2 of the landings. But my main job was working at the Consolidated Base Personnel Office
I was there from April 1980-May 1983
This gives me goosebumps, we saw it on TV back in Delhi. Fond memories of learning about space from Discovery and NatGeo
I almost find it sad that theres only 2 thousand views for this post. This footage is just unbelievable. I was 6, a lil young to appreciate how amazing a feat it was to successfully launch and land this new space vehicle that really only functioned on paper for years.
Finally, I watch this and think about how thankful all of you should be that space exploration didnt count on ME inventing it. It still boggles my mind humans can come up with how to do this stuff......
so beautiful!!
RIP columbia and your crew. true heroes of humanity.
thanks for the upload!
Young & Cripp: LEGENDS
Gorgeous imagery, wonderful memories. Thanks a million!
Gliding brick. I was a teenager when it launched and I watched the landing with my grandmother. It still amazes me.
I saw a few Edwards landings.The best was a last minute call to land there,went racing up to Base.A person just waved thru the line of cars and we wound up in the bleachers for the VIP seating.Shuttle flew right in front of us right before touchdown.VERY IMPRESSIVE and she was a big bird from that vantage point.Also managed to get my young 10 year old or so nephew to a landing,glad of that.
Then there was the time people were parked along the roadside and walking in.Decided to drive the Baja Bug in.BIG MISTAKE! Next thing I knew I had a helicopter in front of my car with a crew dressed in black and faces covered,on the side pointing a bunch of rifles at me ,and a loudspeaker yelling LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!!!! Ummm....I left.IMMEDIATELY.
That was the smoothest landing I have ever seen of any plane, ever. Not to mention the fact that it was the goddamn space shuttle, which required essentially two pilots and three first officers' worth of work.
As a 8yr old boy this takeoff and landing got me hooked on space flight....
Man, I grew up on the Space Coast of Florida. The sonic booms used to scare the crap out of me, but I miss hearing them now.
7:26 love the NASA Winnebago!
That's Lone Starr's Winnebago
I hope Tucker McElroy isn't driving...
ua-cam.com/video/NdCc-IEKaD0/v-deo.html
Great video. Thanks for posting.
To bad these kids today weren't around for the Apollo Missions. American pride to the max. I watched them all. : )
+lander4545 Me too and I agree. I saw Sputnik go over us in 1957 and followed every space mission. Those were exciting times!
I broke down + teared up when I visited the Smithsonian, and touched John Glens Mercury Capsule. I remember waking up early with my father and watching the early Merc 'shots' several of which were postponed until another day.
I missed Apollo but my world stopped for the shuttle
Remember watching this when I was six as a kid
Same age as you when we went into the science room to watch the landing take place.
Very sad we don't see these landings anymore
Don't worry, we've got SpaceX now
The spacex booster auto landings are pretty amazing.
Just you wait. It's gonna get nuts.
Remembered it like it was yesterday!....April 10th 1981...Watched it with My Dad by my side. Then four yrs later I've joined The United States Navy in October 1985 for a Great twenty years of Naval Aviation Serviced as an Aviation Mechanic and Flight Mechanic having Retired in October 31st 2005. I've sailed on The USS JOHN YOUNG DD 973 out of San Diego Ca. While on HSL 47 DETACHMENT 2....Stationed at Naval Air Station North Island....Straighted from P. R. Angel Marte....God Bless!!!!
Thank you for your service. USAF vet here. Loved every minute of it.
Hard to get / beleive the leaps of advances in technology in the 20th century. Incredible.
How I wish it had landed the final time; the best ship in the fleet being the oldest
I remember watching this live in my 5th grade class! I’m 50 now, where have the years gone !
Our first grade class was hauled into the science room to watch the land take place...45 now.
I was fifteen years old when this happened I remember being at school sat in front of the TV with the whole school. Magic
Yep another day I was late for school. History was being made before my eyes and I wasn't going to miss it
Seeing the Shuttle from the cockpit of the chase plane must have been the coolest view ever.
What a stunning looking spacecraft this was. Definitely something that would not look out of place in the future.
I recall this day so well. American Pride. I was so proud of our accomplishment.
Just another moment that changed humanity ... :)
RIP John Young
An American Legend
I'm 52 years old tomorrow, I was 10 years old when I saw this live on TV as we had off from school just to witness this even. It was amazing! 42 years later I still remember it perfectly.
it's wild that with 1970s technology we made a machine that could go into space like a rocket and come back like a plane. like are you kidding me, this thing came down from actual fking space on stubby little wings with no thrusters to speak of, screams in at several times the speed of sound, and nails the landing 100+ times? i think it's honestly amazing it only blew up twice.
And I Was There. The night before was the biggest party I have ever been to. They told us that there would be no supplies on the desert floor, so come prepared. HA. Every group on base had a venue set up. And there were Live Bands and Dance Floors. You couldn't walk 40 feet before you came to another beer stand. And with that, burgers, dogs, chili, salads, kabobs, etc. In the morning, they were all making breakfast, and Oh such Delicious coffee. For those who had over indulged, one set up was making Bloody Mary's.
Oh, and the souveniers, I have a Gold, Laser Etched art of the view of the shuttle as it lifted off. Awesome.
And as they say, "A Good Time Was Had By All". Cheers🍷
So cool to see the first landing. I always wanted to see a launch in person.
To all the people wanting the shuttle back, I'd like it too but:
1: It was extremely dangerous (challenger, Columbia)
2: It was extremely expensive
3: It required extensive overhauls after each flight
4: There'd be little use for it unless the USA goes for another huge leo manned space station after the iss.
5: The (heavily compromised) design was aproved by the Nixon administration, bit outdated by now.
6: Did I mention the design was heavily compromised due to congress and (initially) the pentagon all having wildly different needs and ideas. Not to mention the SRB's (Challenger) attached to keep the arms industry in the game.
Despite all its flaws, the shuttle gave us the idea of a REUSABLE launch vehicle. In a way, the idea lives on in SpaceX's Falcon rocket. Like the orbiter, the first stage of the vehicle can be used repeatedly, so long as it can be recovered. And on the upside, it doesn't require input from a human pilot to be able to land.
That was really cool to watch an old space shuttle landing like that ! 👍😊
Thank you for this upload. I was 15 at the time, and I told my mom I had a stomach ache to get out of school, so I could watch the shuttle landing on TV!
I remember watching this live on tv in my class room during my senior year in high school.
Man, seeing this happen in '81 must have been mind blowing! After seeing the capsules of the 60's/early 70's, this would have looked like a huge leap forward.
It could also have failed spectacularly. I wasn't convinced the first real launch would work, but, well, I guess the engineers knew more than I did. I was 14 at the time. The shuttle program had its tragedies, which only goes to show what the engineers down in their little pits have to say is a lot more important than some management commitee trying to keep up appearances.
Had Columbia not been destroyed in 2003, it would likely have wound up in the Smithsonian, given it was the first shuttle orbiter to fly into space.
+altfactor I wish it did -- she was a sweet gal.
I agree. However Discovery made it into the Air and Space Museum in DC. She is stunning to visit.
+altfactor I saw her take off in STS-3... saw a reentry streak across the sky which was so cool, and then heard a boom... on that day.
Octorafest yeah Discovery become the most beloved shuttle
Had the Columbia not been destroyed, the Shuttle program was scheduled to fly through 2020,
and with a good safety record maybe a few years longer.
That thing just came from space! I'm still in awe and inspired.
@ 8:07 my dad flew by in that Huey.
sweeeeet 😁👌
I was there too, with ABC News, right on the lakebed at the remote Press Site at the approach end of Runway 23. We had been told that a sonic boom was likely, but I wasn't expecting a double shot. What a seminal moment!
I remember watching this as it happened and feeling just so proud and also very relieved!
My dad and I watched this landing that morning. It was awesome.
The panning heli cam at 8:13 with Columbia encircled by the runway lines, poetic cinematography
I was eleven years of age in Queensland Australia at the time, this was a thrill for every kid the world over.
Great memories.
One of the greatest moment of mankind !
The two bravest men ever .Back when Americans had so much pride in our country, sadly that is gone and the USA has become a big joke to other countries .
Beautiful landing!!!
Awesome.. I have a Kiwi newspaper for STS1.. thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿
Watching in 2022. 😢John Young, Gemini Apollo, Space Shuttle. What a pilot.
Remember watching this I was Stationed at Nellis AFB Nevada. Bunch of us were watching this in the rec center that day
Fantastic Scene! Happy ending to STS-1 Mission, the greatest test flight ever. Best wishes to the Crew Dragon Demo-2 crew in space onboard the ISS now.
I can't believe that this same shuttle desitegrated 22 years later over Texas.... it's so sad.
not 22 years ago
2019-2003=16 years ago, but still sad indeed
“It couldn’t be any better” what an inspiring craft and an inspiring time for all mankind.
remembering watching this live - and bunking school for 20 minutes
Crazy. I watched Columbia Take It’s First Flight Up as a young boy, And It’s Last Flight Up as a young man. “both Launches”. (and many more in between) And was unfortunate that I watched the breakup while reentering while on a trip in TX. Felt like I lost part of myself when she broke apart. Was lucky enough to get to see the collection of semi-reconstructed debris at the VAB at the cape a few years back. Couldn’t help but feel almost sick. #NeverForgetColumbia
I remember when Iwas sitting with my mother in front of the TV. and we were watching this on german television. What a great moment. 🙂
Beautiful landing, masterpiece
Awesome! True heroes! R.I.P STS-107