I was watching the Space Shuttle landing today and while looking through NASA's website, I found this link:

Modified Gulfstream used for training Space Shuttle pilots.

I'd love to see that Gulfstream upclose - it looks like it's been modified big time.

The Shuttle is just a big, and very inefficient, glider doing a dead stick landing. It provides very little lift to mass ratio, and hits the runway going way faster than a normal aircraft. Basically its land and change underwear.

Shelly