Even though the Space Shuttle doesn't deploy its landing gear until reaching an altitude of only a few hundred feet, not much more than 15 seconds before landing, that would probably make most general aviation pilots a little nervous.
Mirages do not exist only in the domain of the parched desert traveler; they can actually influence your flying, to a greater extent perhaps, than you might expect.
When I was a kid I'd wake up from dreams of skimming treetops -- sans aircraft -- often just hovering there horizontally, arms fully extended, looking down at the amazed upturned faces.