From: henry@spsystems.net   
      
   In article ,   
   James Graves  wrote:   
   >What the heck are the wings on the shuttle good for anyway?  It isn't as   
   >if the SS has any kind of cross-range ability.  You can't, at the last   
   >minute, abort or even pick a different runway.   
      
   The shuttle does have considerable cross-range capability earlier in   
   reentry, which is useful because you can reach a landing site that is   
   significantly to one side of your orbit track.  This is helpful in normal   
   operations, reducing the need for either in-orbit waits or retrieval from   
   contingency landing sites.  Moreover, it's essential if you want to be   
   able to do a once-around mission from Vandenberg, either deliberately or   
   because a problem causes an Abort Once Around, since there's nothing much   
   but water west of Vandenberg.   
   --   
   MOST launched 30 June; science observations running     |   Henry Spencer   
   since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending.        | henry@spsystems.net   
      
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