How NASA used a modified Gulfstream jet to simulate shuttle landings

Space · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before Endeavour’s final voyage, astronauts didn't just study manuals; they flew a specialized aircraft designed to mimic the orbiter's unique handling. This high-stakes rehearsal ensured that even as the Space Shuttle Program approached its end, the precision of every landing remained uncompromised.

Greg Johnson and Commander Mark Kelly used a Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA) to get ready for STS-134. This aircraft, a Gulfstream II jet built by Grumman American Aviation, was specifically modified to simulate the cockpit environment, motion, and handling qualities of the space shuttle orbiter. Such training was a critical component of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, providing crews with essential opportunities for equipment familiarization and emergency training, including practicing pad evacuations.

The importance of this precision was underscored during Endeavour's 25th and final flight. Launched on May 16, 2011, from Pad 39A, the mission was a complex 16-day undertaking. The crew, which included specialists such as Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel, and Roberto Vittori, was tasked with delivering the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and various supplies to the International Space Station. This included critical hardware like two communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, and parts for the Dextre robot.

The mission concluded with a significant milestone: the 24th nighttime landing in the history of the Space Shuttle Program. After the hatches closed on May 29, the crew performed a test of the STORRM automated rendezvous and docking system. At 2:35 a.m., Endeavour landed on Runway 15 after Johnson Space Center managers approved the deorbit burn. on June 1, 2011. This final flight marked the end of an era for the orbiter, which had traveled over 122 million miles and completed 4,671 orbits during its career.

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