An array of visual aids as well as sophisticated guidance equipment at the Shuttle Landing Facility help guide the orbiter to a safe landing.

The Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system on the ground provides range and bearing measurements to the orbiter when it is at an altitude of up to 145,000 feet (44,196 meters).

The Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System (MSBLS) provides more precise guidance signals on slant range, azimuth and elevation when the orbiter gets closer — up to 18,000 to 20,000 feet (5,486 to 6,096 meters). Both TACAN and MSBLS are automatic systems that update the orbiter’s onboard navigation systems.

The MSBLS also provides an autoland capability that can electronically acquire and guide the orbiter to a completely "hands off" landing. So far, Shuttle mission commanders have taken control of the orbiter for all final approach and landing maneuvers during subsonic flight, usually about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from the touchdown point.

The initial landing approach at a glide slope of 20 degrees is more than six times steeper than the 3-degree slope of a typical commercial jet airliner as it approaches landing. Two series of lights help pilots determine the correct approach.

The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights are an electronic visual system that shows pilots if they are on the correct outer glide slope. PAPI lights are used at airports all over the world, but these have been modified for the unique configuration of the orbiter. A set of PAPI lights are at 7,500 feet (2,286 meters) and another at 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) to delineate an outer glide slope of between 18 and 20 degrees.

The Ball-Bar Light System is a visual reference to provide inner glide slope information. The bar lights are 24 red lamps in horizontal sets of four each. They are 2,200 feet (671 meters) from the runway threshold, and 300 feet (91 meters) from the first nominal touchdown point. Five-hundred feet (152 meters) closer to the runway threshold are three white lights — the ball — at a higher elevation.

If the orbiter is above the glide slope of 1.5 degrees, the white PAPI lights will appear to be below the bar of red lights. If the vehicle is below the glide slope, the white lights will appear to be above the red lights. If the red and white lights are superimposed, the orbiter is on the correct glide slope.

Lighted distance markers show the crew the distance remaining to the end of the runway during landing and rollout. Just before touchdown, a flare or a pull-up maneuver brings the orbiter into its final landing configuration. Touchdown nominally is 2,500 to 2,700 feet (762 to 823 meters) beyond the runway threshold.

For night lights, the SLF has 16 powerful xenon lights, each of which produces up to 1 billion candlepower (1 billion candela). Flatbed trailers hold eight lights, in two groups of four, at each end of the runway. To avoid blinding the crew, workers only turn on the xenon lights at the end of the runway that will be behind the orbiter at landing.