Nasa Cargo transport KWAL-UWWW (B744 - N906NA)

[TCA2050]

Last week, tests with the IRVE3 "Space Brakes" at Wallops were succesfully finished
http://spaceports.blogspot.com/2012/05/i...ed-at.html

Now we are to take the equipment to Samara, Russia for preparations on a launch with the Soyuz in the near future.
Samara is known as the Center of Space Industry of Russia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samara,_Russia

   


Flightplan:
KWAL SWL J174 HTO J55 ENE YAY NatTrack(DOTTY CRONO 5250N 5440N 5530N 5520N RESNO NIBOG) UN552 MAC UN562 SAB UL983 SURAT IGORO G3 FK SF A930 MB R480 UD R346 DW UWWW

Total flying time: 10h38'
Fuel used: 234.500 lbs



At exactly 2300Z we were airborne and leaving Wallops with our precious cargo on board
   

   


Arriving over Ireland after the North Atlantic crossing
   


Totally unexpected, but a rather nice conincidence, we were overflying the town "Gagarin" in Russia
   
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagarin,_Russia


Over Nikolskoye, while descending and setting up for the KS2 arrival to RWY05 at Samara, UWWW
   


Samara lays just about near the bend in the river to our left.
   

preparing early for a Constant Descent Final Approach based on GNSS RWY05
   

Intercepting the approach course near WW173
   

   

Just before WW158, altitude set to MDA 890' and switching to V/S to control descent.
   

All looking stable and going over to manual control
   

Touchdown at Kurumoch, Samara RWY05 at approximately 0925Z....
   

.... and moving over to our assigned parking spot where our cargo will be taken care of
   

   

   

[CBreuer]

Nice report Stefaan with some very nice pictures as well. Thanks for sharing.

[Gatwicksteve]

Lovely pictures and report Stefaan - "intercepting the approach" is great!

Steve