For those who couldn't be there to see it.......

[64V-K7]

... This was quite an awesome spectacle....





15 Astronauts including John Glenn, The marine Corp Drum & Bugle team, lotsa brass, etc...

[Bullet]

That must have been amazing to see two shuttles nose to nose and all the brass. I had the opportunity to see the first shuttle land at Hill AFB back in the late 70's on the 747 after the first landing in CA. What an amazing sight. The shuttle is big, but on the back of a 747 is even more. That was an engineering feat!

Mark

[r1lark]

Did Enterprise ever actually fly into space, or was it used strictly for 'glide' tests? Seems like I remember it being 'jettisoned' from the 747 to test the glide & land capability.

[StudeDave57]

VERY VERY cooool pictures~ thanks so much for posting them!!!

Did Enterprise ever actually fly into space, or was it used strictly for 'glide' tests? Seems like I remember it being 'jettisoned' from the 747 to test the glide & land capability.

Enterprise never went into space. It's use was as you said- glide tests and what-not.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Isn't it ironic that they roll the 'clean' Enterprise outside and roll the 'dirty' Discovery inside.
Then they are going to fly the 'clean' Enterprise to NYC, and leave it outside to get dirty.....
Your government working with museums....

[StudeDave57]

Isn't it ironic that they roll the 'clean' Enterprise outside and roll the 'dirty' Discovery inside.
Then they are going to fly the 'clean' Enterprise to NYC, and leave it outside to get dirty.....
Your government working with museums....

Yes, but Enterprise isn't supposed to stay outside for long~
they are building a building to but her in...

They should'a taken Seattle's lead- those forward thinking folks started building a building for an orbiter before they found out that they were NOT getting one of them. ooooops.

(but don't get me started on mueseums who got one and those who didn't)



StudeDave '57

[64V-K7]

Yes, the ceremony had a lot of the heavyweights. Fifteen of the 30+ shuttle pilots and mission commanders. Senator John Glenn, 90 years old, spoke with a lot of common sense and foresight. He didn't like the idea of cancelling the Shuttle mission.
The parking lot was overflowing, over 3000 cars, plus press and dignitaries.. We were standing outside for 3 hrs +, 2 of them in the bright sun.. Later we toured through the museum. The last time I was there was a couple years ago ( and I only live 6 miles away) There's a lot more to see now and you'd be hard pressed to do it all in one day..

[rockne10]

I know the 747 is a fairly substantial airship. I'm curious as to how they actually go about installing the shuttle on top of it. Pretty darned big forklift?

[StudeDave57]

I know the 747 is a fairly substantial airship. I'm curious as to how they actually go about installing the shuttle on top of it. Pretty darned big forklift?

well, sorta...

http://www.warbirdinformationexchang...454481#p454481

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/143195/

There are a few useful links in those threads- and a picture or two as well.



StudeDave '57

[rockne10]

Thanks, Dave.

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[FlatheadGeo]

What does not surprise me, if you think about it; these tributes to America's "DO IT" attitude are receiving the same fate as some Studebakers!!! (Food for thought!?!)

[Jeff_H]

I remember getting up early to watch the 1st manned launch in 1981. I was 15. The launch was cancelled for some reason for a few days or a week as I recall so I got up early again and my Dad was up as well and we watched it together. I was really into science and space stuff back then.

I recall my Dad was suprised how fast it went up and cleared the tower. Compared to the saturn V moon rocket launch footage I have seen it sure did.

I also remember exactly where I was/doing when I heard about the Challenger.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I remember seeing 'Echo' while out at the ball park late one evening, and was scared we were all going to die the next day....
Duck and cover, you know....
Jeff

I remember getting up early to watch the 1st manned launch in 1981. I was 15. The launch was cancelled for some reason for a few days or a week as I recall so I got up early again and my Dad was up as well and we watched it together. I was really into science and space stuff back then.

I recall my Dad was suprised how fast it went up and cleared the tower. Compared to the saturn V moon rocket launch footage I have seen it sure did.

I also remember exactly where I was/doing when I heard about the Challenger.