Flying the MOST COMPLEX Machine Ever Created

[@HasardLee]

For 21 FREE meals with HelloFresh plus free shipping, use code HASARD21 at bit.ly/3Klolhn!

[@typerightseesight]

anything with 2 monitors on the ground is wired to not be flyable lol

[@davidadammichaelchen]

Thanks for sharing !

[@TorToroPorco]

I will forever have a soft spot for the shuttle. Seeing an airplane shaped spacecraft go into space and land like an airplane was and will always be the ultimate thrill.

[@eccentricorbiter1390]

You're gonna love the Dreamchaser when it gets operational

[@mmuussiiccmmaann69]

I’m pretty sure the near future is about to offer some even more ultimate thrill. We are living in a wonderful era, we’ve done so much and yet, we don’t know yet how far we are from understanding this whole universe and its origins.

[@torque-ej4nu]

I watched them go up all my life, still miss those sonic booms that shook the state of Florida that let you know she maid it home.

[@Chris_Sheridan]

@TorToroPorco .. not as much of a thrill as those that did not land quite as planned killing all astronauts on board. Challenger and Columbia were ultimate thrill rides.

[@Chris_Sheridan]

@@torque-ej4nu .. some never maid it back intact.

[@michaelkim3432]

The only problem with this interview is that it was too short!! Great to hear about the shuttle experience from a pilot's perspective! Thanks!

[@after_midnight9592]

It could easily be a 2 hour podcast.

[@trollking202]

It was cut because he gave away Air Force secrets

[@marvinmcelvin1419]

I was blessed to have worked 20 years with the shuttle program. I witnessed over 100 launches. I spoke with many crew members, but I never asked what it was like to fly shuttle or land. Love that program that was one job that I never had a bad day!!!!! One big family, one mission!!!!

[@RBSmith-ko3ed]

What did you work on?

[@ahmadi3718]

So the space is real

[@ruineves4356]

in other words. You had no idea what the hell was going on.

[@nonegone7170]

@@ruineves4356 Still slightly more than you i suppose.

[@jeffyboi6969]

@@ruineves4356 what are you attempting to do with that comment? I literally read it and have no idea what you're trying to insinuate about the OP lmao. Are you under the assumption the average worker knows every single thing about this...?

[@leighjacobs4800]

This is one of the best shuttle pilot interviews I have ever seen. Terry Virts provides a straightforward, unpretentious, and informative explanation and description of space shuttle operations.

[@crewchief2842]

As a kid I always dreamed of being an Astronaut and going to space. As an adult I still dream of space but instead of becoming a pilot/astronaut, I became an acft mechanic. Which I thoroughly enjoyed. Keep up the great videos Hasard!

[@spaceace1006]

If you're an Aircraft Mech. you are one smart cookie!!!!!

[@dougrigel1997]

Yea Crewchief me too. Same story.

[@Elmantukas]

That is literally like me! I always dreamed of being an astronaut, then a pilot, and now im an aircraft engineer. Still dream of being a pilot one day tho!

[@feonor26]

@@Elmantukas Haha same here. Dreamed of being a fighter pilot, now I'm an engineer instead. I do like my current career tho, but piloting will always be a dream :)

[@MrSmetanka]

Not bad, if you ask me

[@gophermaster]

What an incredible and humble man. The way he talks about everything you can tell he's a polymath.

[@dillonbledsoe7680]

Comment number #1

[@peckerwood780]

Just say he's smart... you sound like a douchbag lol oh yeah he's a polymath ha ha ha so am i... were polymaths and I use big words.

[@garyhochstetler7082]

That is an obscure word so I decided to look it up. That word does not really seem to apply to this man. He may have a broad knowledge base but a “polymath” type person would have a near genius level of knowledge over many areas of study. This man is not that. He’s probably extremely intelligent and probably has a diverse body of knowledge to draw from but he’s most definitely not a “polymath” It’s nice that you got to use your new word though. It’s just a shame that you didn’t use it correctly.

[@YukonDemon]

@@garyhochstetler7082 That's not really true. There are varying degrees of polymath, and the definition is simply having having a very good knowledge of a variety of subjects. You don't have to have genius level knowledge of everything in the universe. Astronauts typically are polymaths, often having masters degrees in multiple subjects. So no, he didn't really use the word wrong. And it may be a bit obscure, but it's common enough I didn't have to look it up.

[@garyhochstetler7082]

@@YukonDemon “You don’t have to have genius level knowledge of everything in the universe” I can stop reading there and disregard your argument.

[@ronaldhays5554]

I trained Curt Brown at AA, teaching him the Boeing 727. What an outstanding gentleman! During classroom breaks I would ask him all sorts of questions about flying the shuttle, what an amazing aerospace vehicle! The sights he described to me are hard to imagine but what I wouldn’t give to go up just for a couple of days!

[@rustyneuron]

when I was a kid in gradeschool in the 80s, if the space shuttle was launching, the whole school would stop, we would gather in the gymnasium, a television would be wheeled in, and we would watch the launch. It was that big of a deal back then. And all of us kids dreamed of being an astronaut.

[@lillyanneserrelio2187]

Back then we had respect for our astronauts and other pivotal news events. My mom told me the whole country stopped what they were doing, glued to the tv news and crying when JFK was shot. Now we're lucky to get a tweet. People are just so numb, So apathetic to things

[@blount99RT]

I hear you! Those were treasured memories from my childhood too. We are lucky to have witnessed it.

[@anthonyfuqua6988]

I live in Huntsville Alabama so I only had to go 10 miles to go to space camp in the late 80's.

[@libertyforoneandall]

Haha.. me too. They wheeled a t.v into our classroom on a metal cart to watch the launches. We had a similar cart with a commodore 64... the one and only computer in our school. Different times...simpler, more wholesome times

[@rustyneuron]

​@@lillyanneserrelio2187 I know. What people don't realize is all the "probelem" that everyone constantly fights about are mostly luxery problems, but its been so long since we've had really hard times that people don't know what adversity looks like or where real danger lies. Real danger lies in what you just said-- apathy. A country like the US requires the opposite of apathy-- engagement. Instead of complaining, do something to make it better-- vote, learn how our system works, write congressmen and congresswomen, have an informed opinion and *share it*-- whether it is the same or different than mind. We have the power to act inspired! Thanks for your reply to my comment. I am too young to remember JFK getting shot, but I sure do remember the challenger disaster and the one where Krista McCollough, who should have been the first female and first teacher in space, was killed with all the other crew members; also there were good memories too of many successful launches and missions. from 1967 to probably 1990 is probably what I would call the golden era of space exploration; unfortunately war and fear of defeat motivated the money being dedicated to exploration of space and technological domination. Unless and until we have a major existential threat, like another world war, we wont make the next leap in space exploration-- unless of course it can be done at a profit. The reordering of the world after WWII and mutually assured destruction b/c of the nuclear threat made it where we were will to dedicate billions of dollars to exploring space and researching technology to stay ahead of the then USSR-- otherwise they may have been in a position where they could destroy us without being destroyed themselves.

[@goldenpacificmedia]

Terrific to hear Terry Virts' description of re-entry. Having been an engineering intern in TPS at Downey 35 years ago, his description was excellent. This is one of the best interviews of an STS CDR or PLT that I've heard in a long-time. Thanks so much for making this video. I know folks who spent decades working on the orbiter. We love this program and the crews who flew her.

[@bluegent7]

I can sympathize, but don't forget the ABC, DEF and GHI.

[@Sirbadone]

​ Hahaha

[@FC-cz6zd]

I worked on the shuttle program for a short while after Columbia Return To Flight. Seeing the shuttle for the first time stacked in the VAB (literally standing just off to the side of the main engines) and at the 195' (ish) level out at the pad, it made me pause and really get my head around the insane engineering that it was. It really deserves to be one of the great wonders of the world.

[@Grombrindal91]

As a young engineer I had an opportunity to work on the shuttle main engines for SLS Artemis and it was such an honor working alongside the engineers who put their heart into this project for over 30 years.

[@FlyingTireIron]

There will always be a place in my heart for this marvel of engineering. I grew up in California's Antelope Valley where shuttles were born. I had the pleasure of watching the Enterprise (the original test flight mock-up vehicle) being moved along the surface streets from the Palmdale assembly plant to the Edwards Air Force Base mating jig which was used to attach Enterprise to the top of a 747. I watched several of the glide to landing tests as well and treasure the many photographs (actually 35mm slides) I took at these events. Little did I know then what successes, failures, and tragedies the program would be asked to endure, all of which were unimaginable while standing in awe of what I was witnessing in those moments. Great job Hasard and Terry for bringing this to us- things I didn't know until today.

[@__ASAAA]

The shuttle is an awesome space craft and even cooler aircraft. I love hearing stories like this from people who were there and especially about aviation whether it be some shenanigans on the ground or some serious stuff in the air it always amazes me to know that the person is right in front of you.

[@allthingsbing1295]

Although it definitely is not a glider

[@shoora813]

Shuttle was impressive spacecraft - for niche tasks. But not a “cool aircraft”. It flew like an iron. All the merits goes to it’s hero pilots. I am still impressed, why it has never crashed on landing. Making Shuttle the only space transportation system is a crime.

[@allthingsbing1295]

@@shoora813 it never crashed because it wasn’t a “ glider”. The entire space shuttle program was a deception on humanity.

[@allthingsbing1295]

@@shoora813 things can’t break the laws of physics just because they have a “hero” pilot”

[@EdwardPCampbell]

I can honestly say, hand on heart, that this has been the most ‘down to Earth’ (pun intended) interview of an astronaut I’ve ever listened to. He comes across as a safe pair of hands whom you could feel confident in if things went south on a mission. It was one experienced test pilot talking to another experienced test pilot. I have a saying, “I love it when I’m talking to an intelligent and knowledgeable person. I don’t have to explain anything.”

[@_portsmyth]

I kinda like explaining things though if they have an interest in that thing. It's not a competition - it feels good to talk about cool stuff that you like with someone, experienced or not.

[@linesided]

What a smart and articulate man! Can listen to him tell stories all night long..

[@timnor4803]

I built a model of the space shuttle Enterprise, I think, on a 747 before they ever launched one as an elementary school kid. I watched every shuttle launch I could no matter the time of day. And after the last landing I had something in my eyes😢. Excellent interview.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

This is a lovely warm and informative interview. Enthusiastic person talking about something we all know about but have never done. And he communicates so well and clearly and with a little humour too. Nice work by the interviewer who asked perfect questions. And he idn't interrupt the answers, and was smart enough to just nudge things along with the right amount of to and fro between him and the person he was interviewing. Well edited too. Super!

[@karlgashler5004]

Terry and I were soaring instructors together when we were cadets at USAFA. It's good to see one of the bros still at it!

[@hunterhalo2]

That's fucking awesome. What did you end up doing with your time in the USAF? I was a flight test boom operator, and was lucky enough to teach the CRM course for TPS, I'm sure I'll see familiar faces in astronaut selection soon enough.

[@minus5m]

This got to be the most sympathetic guy I've ever seen. I'm happy for him to have had the honor of flying mankinds greatest machine!

[@kcabsquadron4873]

Super cool info about the control inputs being sensitive to pitch and sluggish on roll. Thanks Hasard

[@TheUpwardbound1]

How do men not know they are the prize?? The amazing things we do and create are just amazing.

[@unyalimon]

I've never flown a shuttle, but I did fly in NASA's Vertical Motion Simulator that all shuttle commanders trained on, and landed the shuttle 15 times at airports around the world. An amazing experience.

[@JIMDEZWAV]

NOW EVERY TIME I TAKE A DUMP I'LL THINK OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE 💩💩

[@LaggerSVK]

I have only flown it in a orbiter space simulator. It is very nice. You can practice most of the steps and get a grip of how it all works together.

[@joshs2795]

flew the simulator once, my glide slope was good but I missed the runway to the right by a runway's width. that thing ain't easy to fly

[@RoberinoSERE]

In the 1990s after transitioning from Submarines to the Oregon Army NG and living on MREs in Japan at a training ground on Hoshu in the winter with 8’ of snow everywhare, I learned you can eat MREs for two weeks and poop like a rabbit every 4 days. Clean and simple. Today at 63 living in a 24’ 1980s trailer with a head tinyer than my old Submarine or your Shuttle shitter I am thankful for flushable baby wipes and not having to close the door as I am 6’ tall and 200lbs now with irritable bowel syndrome and a simple diet.

[@pan6593]

Now we know.

[@lpc8278]

Man, thank you so much for this. I mean this is really otherworldly stuff and to have a person interviewing that knows his stuff, but also the interviewee a perfectly humble and immensely talented man. This really is at the forefront of civilization....thank you

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

The toilet checklist on the shuttle reminds me of the scene in "2001: A Space Odyssey" where Dr Floyd is in a transport to the moon and has to read a long list for instructions for using the bathroom.

[@lemmingsfly]

Well no one wanted to end up pooping in a bag with 7 others on a confined space for the next week in space lol

[@darod850]

Astronauts really are the best humanity has to offer.

[@thatguy2133]

Programmed in ADA. My dad programmed for both the Apollo and Shuttle projects.

[@manifestgtr]

I got to see the shuttle discovery launch in 2007 and it remains a highlight of my life to this day. The kind of power that looks like a fast sunrise as rattles your insides from several miles away. IMO, there are two things everyone should see before they die…a total solar eclipse and a rocket launch.

[@enziogehrig9425]

Very interesting video. The shuttle has always fascinated me ever since I visited the US Space & Rocket Center at Huntsville, Ala. I remember buying some sort of a simplified pilot's manual for the shuttle which I gave to my nephew. And I still have the stickers in memory of the tragic Challenger accident. Thank you for posting this video.

[@WeGoWalk]

My wife and I and our two kids, ages 8 and 12, were at DisneyWorld in Orlando Florida, floating on innertubes on the Lazy River of a waterpark and we watched in awe the big white contrail of the Space Shuttle as it rose into the stratosphere. I only wish we could’ve been at the Cape to witness that personally, but at least we got to see that big, beautiful, white plume, and we were never so proud!

[@urbandrummer1]

I was one of the Avionics Engineers that built the dash board instruments for the shuttles.

[@paulnelson5314]

Always been a huge NASA fan, I remember where I was when Neil Armstrong made his “Giant Leap”, as a pre-teen. Was fortunate enough to witness the very last shuttle launch with my son, what a colossal thrill!

[@raccoon874]

98% of humans *still can't program a VCR clock*

[@artyfuffkin7805]

What's a VCR ? , I think my dad talked about those

[@openmythirdeye]

98% have tossed them years ago😂

[@mdnahidurrahman7079]

​@@openmythirdeye😂

[@MrSpliffy3]

Thankyou for your contribution

[@sebrofc]

Hell figuring out how to adjust DST in the car every 6 months is bad enough

[@martinthody9335]

I’d agree the shuttle is probably the most complex “flying” machine ever built, but would argue that nuclear powered submarines are the most complex machines of all.

[@varunemani]

Besides how absolutely amazing this really interview was, One critical take away from this - ' Even in space, You gotta Poop and pee.. dare I mention the poop part again!! ' 😉

[@DrUlrichSelz]

This was by far one of the most interesting videos on KZbin. Great! Thanks!

[@victorlussier5477]

Probably the greatest most complex piece of engineering we have created, i remember watching discovery when i was little.

[@AndrewGrey22]

When I was ten in '79 or '80, I had the "Space Shuttle Operators Manual" and knew how to do everything on the spacecraft. At least according to what was shown in the book. I memorized all of it.

[@atungaanassi4521]

Had the opportunity to chat with Colonel Virts maybe 10 years ago as a undergraduate. He generously gave his time and wisdom about engineering, career and just - life. I’ll always appreciate that memory.

[@schumy1975]

what an awesome video. what a guy, thank you so much for your sharing, it's an honor to have you telling us all these wonderful experiences

[@DOGosaurus_rex]

holy cow that cockpit looks terrifyingly complex 😦

[@johncarter6238]

he is so terrifyingly complex. that he also failed because of the complexity

[@omramchandrajieducational]

The space shuttle is truly one of the greatest engineering marvels. I've loved it since I first saw some random space documentary as to toddler, and remember how happy I was when I got a super realistic lego space shuttle in first grade. So sad that such a beautiful spaceship and plane is never going to be used again.

[@DeeViningUK]

I was a little girl when the Shuttle first launched and from that moment on, I loved anything to do with space. Oh, how I wanted to be an astronaut and see the Earth from the Shuttle! Or at the very least, see a launch with my own eyes. Although my space dreams never came true, I STILL love seeing anything to do with space, and I'll always love the Shuttles - what a fantastic feat of engineering that captured the imagination of so many. Thank you so much for the video Hasard, and thank you both for your service ❤ From a new subscriber and wishful thinking astronaut!

[@MrBen527]

Good upload! Most folks don't realize how much credit the STS system deserves. And IT WAS MOSTLY REUSABLE!!!

[@kalewintermute28]

What an engaging man, he even made 'space toilets' interesting.

[@franksprecisionguesswork501]

I happened to work at a company making one of those million parts in the late 70s. I’ve always like to say that my fingerprints have been in space on several different shuttles. I took all my grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to see the STS 133 lunch . I think that is the most memorable thing I’ve seen in my 66 years.

[@thedamienharveygroup7014]

What a cool guy. Incredibly accomplished and humble. He knows and understands the opportunity he had and he is grateful. A valuable lesson for all of us.

[@paden57]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. As far back as I can remember I have lived on the flight path to LAX. I can remember being six years old seeing four engine turbo props flying over my house and I still remember the four engine jets. I’ve always been fascinated with aviation and in 1978 I got my private pilots license and since then I’ve been to about a dozen air shows. In 2006 I was an electrical crew foreman for so cal edison, I was working a tornado that took down about a hundred poles and we have them here, there rare but we occasionally have one roll through. I was listening to the local am news radio and at about one o’clock in the morning I heard that there was a space shuttle in bound for Edwards AFB. I saw it when it was white hot and as it passed overhead it slowly turned orange and in just a couple of minutes it disappeared over the horizon. Live in So Cal every once in a while we would hear the double sonic boom it was amazing. When they were building the shuttle’s in Palmdale they had a a five man crew building the power lines two where the shuttle’s were being built, they had to have a security clearance and only those five on the crew were allowed to work near the plant. Just before I topped out as a journeyman lineman they would have a two man service crew go ahead of the shuttle’s to raise the wires so the shuttle could pass, they gave each crew a jacket as a thanks for the effort. Unfortunately a telephone lineman was electrocuted while working on the move. I lived in Downey growing up and North American Rockwell was one of the big companies that built was involved in the space craft that would eventually take man to the moon, they would place a capsule on display in front of their assembly plant and I can remember driving past the capsule on Imperial blvd. Ever since I was old enough to recognize what was flying over my head I’ve been fascinated with aviation and aerospace. Thanks again for your video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 😃

[@mikelliteras397]

Pure badassery, if that’s a word. I remember when the first one went up. I stood on the beach in Ft Lauderdale trying to catch a glimpse thinking we’d see a lot more than we could. I’ve watched a lot from here and my roof, but you couldn’t see much. The best we’re at night. The best view of one was also the worst view of any, just a lot of smoke in a Y shape on a freezing cold day. I’m still shocked they launched on such an oddly cold day.

[@juanar4305]

- Service time: 30 years (12/04/1981 - 21/06/2011) - Total launches: 135 - Successful launches: 134 - Failed launches: 1 - Successful returns: 133 - Failed returns: 1 - Total failures: 2 - Success rate: 98.5% - Astronauts launched into orbit: about 1000. - Astronauts killed: 7 per failure = 14.

[@jg5875]

In case anyone is wondering, they are in the “Shuttle Full Fuselage Trainer” (not one of the flying shuttles) in the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

[@GDuncan8002]

Thanks!

[@Mr89Falcon]

Enjoyed seeing fellow USAFA 1989 Aero Major grad Terry Virts in his element here! As humble a soul as he always was…I remember him as a complete wizard in our aero classes! Congrats Terry…well done👏👏👏

[@Paulco67]

He seems like a super bright person! Funny too. And thank you for your service, sir.

[@ottosboyen]

The shuttle program was a part of my childhood and its epic. SpaceX is the best there is and evef have been. Im glad to be alive to witness all these achievements

[@patrickwimsatt7492]

I personally met General Kevin Chilton (Space Shuttle Pilot) many years ago had the opportunity to learn more about the Space Shuttle and space program What an amazing career. Go Air Force!

[@mariop8576]

Worked on the development of the main engines at SSFL. My aerospace career has spanned over 40 years and more programs than I can remember but the best program that worked on was the SSME and being a part of the STS, nothing will ever come close. Thanks for sharing.

[@spitfire4sergi]

One thing I’ve always wanted to ask those guys.. what study tips to you have?? The amount of procedures and information they need to instantly recall and remember is up there with cardio surgeons.

[@mortyrosenstein4211]

The fighter pilot pipeline naturally selects people capable of memorizing endless checklist and recalling them even in extreme moments of duress. There is a saying that when there is a catastrophic problem, the whole way down the pilot is pissed at all the extra work doing the checklists attempting to diagnose and correct the problem, not scared of crashing. Just about every person in the officer pipeline for aviation starts with the goal of flying fighters. It’s an enormous talent pool. They all want to fly fighters. Of those extremely intelligent and capable people, they then narrow it down to the most talented and exceptional. This guy is a very rare human. The shuttle commander uniform patch is the rarest you can get in the military. It’s the ultimate achievement unlocked. Nothing tops it.

[@Olliekay]

This is a really awesome video, its hard to comprehend just how complex the shuttle really is

[@lemmingsfly]

Very complex. Maybe one of the most complex systems ever built. Nothing else had its capability. Many people seem to forget that the x-37b, a mini unmanned shuttle if you will, still flies to this day and tests equipment in space on missions lasting over a year. It’s up there right now.

[@JimboLogic]

The most beautiful flying brick I've ever seen.

[@brax2364]

I was lucky once to be a USAF Major that got invited to do some training script validations for NASA Astronaut instructor Susan Crippen in the Space Shuttle Full Motion Simulator at JSC. Basically, she needed warm bodies in the seats to react to MALS to ensure the astronaut crew get correct indications like when she failed one of the SSME’s during launch. Three options available depending on when it happens and how much energy you have: RTLS, Abort once around, or abort to orbit. During the landing phase, the CDR and/or PLT reach up on the glare shield and push two tiles to deselect auto roll and pitch to manually fly. From there it’s energy management to keep the pipper inside the box in the HUD. Normally a typical ILS approach is 3 degrees. Shuttle glides more like a streamlined safe. Like he said in the video I was surprised at how nimble the Shuttle was, especially with pitch input. It was so many years ago but I think we crossed the runway threshold at 250 kts? It was back in the 80’s so I may have remembered some of the facts wrong.

[@n1msu]

Oh brilliant, I only saw at the end that the pilot is plugging his book at the end, I will definitely be getting hold of that if possible! Thanks Hasard for posting.

[@Duvstep910]

love the space shuttle; had so many simulators for them on my laptop.

[@HasardLee]

an incredible machine

[@joshuabradley8676]

Virts was my pilot on my last incentive flight at Edwards. I was throwing up and Virts said " hey Bradley, can you turn off hot mic". He did get me into the 9G club.

[@211212112]

I had a bathroom window like that except it wasn’t looking down at planet from orbit. Mine was looking down on everyone walking to and from class. It was crazy how well I could see everyone, but when I checked the opposing view it was hard to even see that a window was there much less looking up diagonally at a toilet. When I think about it out of all the different views from different spots that is my favorite. I guess because I got to watch all my friends come and go being themselves. I never told anyone about it.

[@MarkAshtonLund]

When I was living in LA I was fortunate to see the shuttle land at Edwards AFB.

[@marwellus1]

Very nice one, sir! And the combination of expertise, serenity and modesty Terry shows makes him a true Astronaut and yeah, a Hero. It always touches me if I see an interview with one of them. They're just a special kind even if they won't admit it (in public at least ;-)

[@johnbivins]

Still remember my parents taking me and my brother to the flight line to see the Enterprise piggybacked on its way back.

[@jamesbond4633]

The washroom bit was actually very informative. Had no idea how complicated it was to go to the bathroom and the technology and thought process involved to create the facility. The world's most expensive RV!!!!!

[@MR_R.o.b.o.t.o]

What a nightmare if you have problems. What a DREAM though to have done what you have done...THANK YOU!!

[@iangoodwin345]

Another excellent episode in your "what the ordinary person doesn't know" category. I always learn something from these insights Hasard. Thanks again!

[@Alanders333]

I remember when I was 10 years old. I was the only Kid in Mrs Noal's forth grade class. I was the only kid that still believed there was a Santa Claus delivering presents on December 24. When Ivory Joe McDowell and Mrs Tracy Noal finally told me, I was crushed. Turned out I had a lot of other things to understand in this life of Growing and learning!

[@inkstained2898]

I remember watching the Challenger launch, standing on my grade school’s dirt basketball court in Minneola Fl. I was 6 years old. I watched the shuttle climb into the sky, followed by a enormous smoke trail…STUNNING to see in real time. Then suddenly out of no-where there was a bright flash and 3 smoke trails…then it hit me that something wasn’t right, this didn’t happen all the other shuttle launches I had watched! That is the first day in my now 44 years of life, that the world stood still n felt like time had slowed or stopped. Watching the National Geographic Channel for an hour longer then my normal bedtime, to see the discovery of the Titanic…that was #2 world standing still.

[@alexscottthompson812]

8:35 - he missed a perfect dad joke moment with that. "Bathroom with the best view on planet... and OFF planet."

[@penmouse72]

I had the unique experience to have a flightline badge at Edwards AFB when the shuttle used to land there. Saw it land a few times from maybe 200 yards away. It was super cool to have had that honor. The shuttle is much smaller than what I expected. Seeing it piggy back out on a jet was pretty awesome as well.

[@brentcwong]

Where was this filmed? While I'm not an engineer or astronaut, I worked at NASA on the last two shuttle missions and had to do work in the MCC during each mission. Fun stuff.

[@GDuncan8002]

Another poster said this is the shuttle trainer at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. It's remarkable to me that the poster didn't disclose that.

[@kosmosyche]

Shuttles were the most iconic and beautiful spacefaring vessels ever constructed. I love rockets, but, man, shuttles were on a whole other level.

[@perniciousreaper4393]

My brother, who was sixteen years older than me, worked for United Space Alliance (which eventually became United Launch Alliance) as a propulsion systems engineer and trainer. He trained four STS crews at JSC from 1996 to 2004. He took me to work a few times in the 90's, and I got to spend a lot of time inside the mockups and simulators just absorbing so much as a 10-15 year old. I was a huge space geek at the time (and still am). And, boy...I got to meet so many astronauts, including some who I was in awe of more than any celebrity or athlete. Eileen Collins, Story Musgrave, Shannon Lucid, Scott Horowitz...I could go on and on. I also met Rick Husband, which at the time was relatively insignificant, but of course, he went on to be killed in the Columbia disaster as commander of STS-107. Husband was the pilot of the first crew my brother ever trained (STS-96).

[@aviationist1018]

Hey hasard, im 14, and i just did a field trip for my ROTC to Marine core recruiting depo Parris island and that made me turn away from millitary stuff, but i wanted to ask what was your experiences with air force boot camp?

[@deldridg]

Reminded me of my days flying the mighty C152. 🙂 Great vid and thanks from Sydney, Dave

[@tonybeam]

I flew the even mightier C172 and C182. 😂

[@gcorriveau6864]

So much more elegant than the 'spam in a can' method of bring people home from space. Have you ever notice that there are ZERO sci-fi futuristic movies where astronauts return to earth in parachutes and canisters? ;-)

[@jime4507]

Shuttle is close to my heart,I worked on all of them at Rockwell

[@sammytheface8821]

COOL!!!

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Wow!! KZbin recommended me something AWESOME for a change!! Thanks for making this video and sharing, I'll sub and check out your other videos too :) I miss the Army, best time of my life!!!

[@n539rv]

WAIT, what’s the name of the book?!? I was fortunate to have met a number of shuttle pilots one on one and I can attest everyone of them were humble and thoughtful. I can say the same of all the SR-71 pilots & SRO’s I’ve met. It’s an amazing group of people.

[@bradarmstrong3952]

The book is called "How to Astronaut" by Terry Virts

[@-C.S.R]

That's the training orbiter that all the astronauts trained on before going to space. It's at Boeing in Seattle Washington. I got to go in it and it's amazing! The one thing you don't realize how small it is until you get inside🤯

[@DirtyLilHobo]

It is incredible to hear an actual astronaut describe the inner workings of the shuttle in such vivid detail. Pilot myself, I appreciate this interview because I too wanted to know how the shuttle behaved in flight and in space. Thank you for this video!

[@David-ub3gs]

God bless the future of US Air Force Aviation.

[@delmar2169]

And God bless Taylor Swifts feet!

[@sotiris223]

I love the fact that he wears a Omega Speedmaster (aka the first Watch worn on the Moon)

[@alanclark639]

Even though I'm a Brit with no connection to NASA or being a fast jet pilot - I had an invite to watch STS26 launch back in 1988 - this was, as most old enough with remember, was the first Shuttle to fly after the Challenger disaster and had so much riding on it not only for the Space Programme but the whole country. It was an utterly amazing experience - even now, sitting here writing this nearly 40 years later I can still feel the combined emotions of a Nation and feel those engines start! Some guys around me at the viewing stand had a powerful scope and I had a radio tuned to Mission Control - the countdown stood halted way passed GO time - to such an extent - many thought it would be scrubbed as the window was closing. While we took turns to actually see the crew through the cockpit windows, I relayed progress on them checking computer data - they'd had a warning that some sets were missing. Everyone sweltered in 100+F - the tension electric - I then heard that the faults had been found and new data loaded. My cry of "THEY'RE GOING!" was answered by a roar only heard at the Superbowl! Despite me being quite a big hairy construction worker for most of my life - I did shed a tear as that ship lifted off and executed the half roll - I'd seen it on telly before but the grace and beauty of it in real life is gobsmacking (as we say here) So glad I was there to share it. GO DISCOVERY!!!

[@TravelingWithLex]

"Reduce decision fatigue" LOL When fighter pilots encounter dinner. 😆

[@jjsifo1]

This man earned these honorable experiences.

[@nicklopez4817]

One of the best descriptions of how it felt to be in the shuttle I’ve ever heard!! Thank you! Love it!

[@FabledGentleman]

And then you had the guy who forgot to lift his snek and snacks up before he shut the guillotine, but that's a story for another day.

[@MCMXI1]

2:03 Brotha is rockin the Omega Speedmaster! The watch that saved Apollo 13

[@c1ph3rpunk]

If you add up all the money spent since the inception of the US space program, and divide by the total number of astronauts sent to orbit, it’s cost around $250M per person to put them in space.

[@danemoisan6189]

This guy knows his stuff, how awesome becoming a pilot and then an astronaut!!!

[@jimmyboe25]

Hell yeah that was so cool thank you to everyone involved as a kid the shuttle program was the coolest/ most devastating thing I remember as a child of the 90’s

[@14goldmedals]

The very first shuttle STS-1 Columbia launched on the day I turned 16 years old. About a week later I got my driver's licence and motorcycle licence. Being an aircraft nerd from a very young age after watching a couple Apollo Saturn-V rockets get their candles lit. 1981 was a year ill never forget. You could say I earned my wings for 2 and 4 wheels launching my freedom to "go where this kid has never been before". Watched almost every launch including the first disaster live on TV. That was heart breaking. Great video, thank you.

[@MaximusMerideus]

I was the lead engineer who came up with the toilet design, there was a major flaw in my design and my buddies Raj and Leonard helped me fix it using an exact replica.

[@pdkodude283]

There will never be another space shuttle...but we will have Starship! Amazing tour. Love everything to do with the shuttle. Absolutely fascinating.

[@TheKhakikid]

I wanted to fly it so bad… sad that it was abandoned. “It’s a nice Seattle day..” I felt that.