NASA intern recounts watching space shuttle landing NASA intern recounts watching space shuttle landing

Mike Staab, an engineering co-op student at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, had the opportunity to observe the space shuttle Discovery land at Edward's Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

"This was a life changing experience," said Staab. "We could hear the wind breaking over the wings and the pop when the parachute was released. I've heard a lot of sonic booms, but not one as loud as the shuttle."

The shuttle was Staab's inspiration for pursuing the co-op position. "I grew up wanting to fly on the shuttle, and while flying on the shuttle is not a possibility, joining the astronaut core still is."