Kevin's Watch

I'm currently 2/3 of my way through David Brin's book Earth, and there's a reference to the space shuttle Atlantis being left on Easter Island as a memorial. I seem to recall reading another book in the late 80's or early 90's about a space shuttle landing on Easter Island. I can remember no details about it, but I find it odd that 2 books would have something so similar.

Anyone got any clue what this other book is?

I think Brin himself credits that book in his Afterward.

Ahhh, then I'll wait 'till I finish the book.

I think that a spaceship takes off from a planet called Easter Island or something like that in one of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books.