STS-3's Landing in New Mexico by NASA on The Commons Via Flickr: The space shuttle Columbia (STS-3) touches down on the Northrup Strip at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, marking the first and last time in Shuttle history that it landed on New Mexico soil. After torrential rains at Edwards Air Force Base in California, it was decided that Commander Jack R. Lousma and Pilot C. Gordon Fullerton would complete their 8-day test flight with a landing at this New Mexico site. T-38 chase plane passenger, Mission Specialist-Astronaut Ronald E. McNair, who also captured some launch photography for this mission, recorded a number of frames on 70mm film. Touchdown was shortly after 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, March 30, 1982. NASA Media Usage Guidelines Credit: NASA Image Number: S82-28838 Date: March 30, 1982
