Shuttle Retirement

Beeker

I see Discovery is going to go to the Smithsonian in Washington for display. I look forward to seeing her in the future. I was there for her maiden flight in 1984:).
I still hope to get Endeavour for my back garden:D

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/jan/HQ_10-012_orbiter_disposition.html

lord lucan

There's never been any talk of what form an Orbiter display will take in a museum but i'm really hoping that at least one of them will allow people into the flight deck and mid-deck. I'd que all day for the chance to get into it,i'd even pay for it!!

cyrusdvirus

It's a pity that Columbia or Challenger won't be there to be retired....

RIP

Beeker

gatecrash wrote: »

It's a pity that Columbia or Challenger won't be there to be retired....

RIP

Yeah it sure is.

ynotdu

Beeker wrote: »

I see Discovery is going to go to the Smithsonian in Washington for display. I look forward to seeing her in the future. I was there for her maiden flight in 1984:).
I still hope to get Endeavour for my back garden:D

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/jan/HQ_10-012_orbiter_disposition.html

Hi,ya Beeker:)

I thought Enterprise was already there?
Well SO LL i think told me on a main STS thread{If it's not there,where is Enterprise?}

also did'nt Michael Collins of Apollo fame(not civil war:D) become the director of a Space Museam?
Would'nt it be great if one came to Europe!:)

To see the sell-off although anticipated reads very depressing:(:(:(

Like even when ya know hope is nearly gone for extensions to see it in print is like a death certificate!:(:(:(

Beeker

ynotdu wrote: »

Hi,ya Beeker:)

I thought Enterprise was already there?
Well SO LL i think told me on a main STS thread{If it's not there,where is Enterprise?}

also did'nt Michael Collins of Apollo fame(not civil war:D) become the director of a Space Museam?
Would'nt it be great if one came to Europe!:)

To see the sell-off although anticipated reads very depressing:(:(:(

Like even when ya know hope is nearly gone for extensions to see it in print is like a death certificate!:(:(:(

Enterprise is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport. This is part of the Smithsonian as far as I know. Where Discovery will be displayed I don't know.

Myrddin

While its great to have the Enterprise displayed, she never actually went into orbit afaik. Just some high altitude drops, more of an aero testing template she was.

To see Discovery would be truly special though!

Beeker

EnterNow wrote: »

While its great to have the Enterprise displayed, she never actually went into orbit afaik. Just some high altitude drops, more of an aero testing template she was.

To see Discovery would be truly special though!

Your correct Enterprise never flew in space. It was the test vehicle for intergration testing and approach and landing tests in the late 70's.
Discovery would be special to see. It is now the oldest orbiter with the most flights and since I was at her maiden launch in 1984, I especially look forward to visiting and seen her when retired:)

ynotdu

EnterNow wrote: »

While its great to have the Enterprise displayed, she never actually went into orbit afaik. Just some high altitude drops, more of an aero testing template she was.

To see Discovery would be truly special though!

Hi Enternow,i appreciate that Your reply was being helpful,just i DID know that Enterprise never went into orbit,but You have given Me the excuse the Video below of Enterprise's first flight,{never miss a chance:pac::pac::D}

Are You guys sure Enterprise was 'never' meant to orbit???
My understanding was although it was the 'prototype' It was found to be cumbersome and the idea of launching it was scrapped??????

STS-1 was the first ever manned untested vehicle to launch into Space with a Crew,Very courages of Young Crippen and NASA!

I do not know the diffrience in terms of mileage apart both Shuttle's will be but seems unfair to American people how close they will be,and as i said one in a European home would be GREAT!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJaTn5XTTcw

lord lucan

If there were 6 Orbiters left then there might be a possibility of one ending up in Europe but with only 3 active and 1 non-active Orbiters left i can't see them leaving the states. The argument will be that they were built with US tax dollars so they should see out their days on American soil.

cyrusdvirus

ynotdu wrote: »

Are You guys sure Enterprise was 'never' meant to orbit???
My understanding was although it was the 'prototype' It was found to be cumbersome and the idea of launching it was scrapped??????

Enterprise was never intended for orbital flight. According to her official web page (here) it says at the bottom she was never intended for spaceflight

lord lucan

Rather than start a new thread,here's a good article on NASA's possible future direction:http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/01/taking-aim-phobos-nasa-flexible-path-precursor-mars/

I love the line:"With the three superstar vehicles now contemplating a retirement of being poked and prodded by tourists, no one will miss their house calls more than the ISS, which will have to survive on the rations of the Russian Progress, the European ATV, the Japanese HTV and the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) partners – all of which will not come close to the upmass and downmass capability of the shuttle."

Superstar vehicles.:):):):)

iceage

Bloody hell, I remember its first launch..wow that was while ago for sure.

Beeker

iceage wrote: »

Bloody hell, I remember its first launch..wow that was while ago for sure.

:)Sunday 12th April 1981. I was 13 watching it on RTE with Leo Enright. Great day:)

lord lucan

Beeker wrote: »

:)Sunday 12th April 1981. I was 13 watching it on RTE with Leo Enright. Great day:)

I was 6 and a half!!:eek:

calchas

Well while we're thinking about when we saw launches:

I was made to watch the Apollo 8 launch, as it was about to make history.
Between then and Apollo 11 I did nothing but write about astronauts and the moon at school.
I watched the 11 launch and the lunar landing and first steps (and everything else I was allowed to stay up and watch). All this in black and white and commentated on by Patrick Moore and James Burke.

By the time of the first shuttle launch I was qualified and working in aerospace-avionics and got out of bed early, having worked a night shift, to watch it with friends in a TV room.

I was 6, nearly 7 and 18 respectively.

I could say I've been hooked ever since but compared to some I've just maintained a healthy interest.

Clear skies
Calchas

Beeker

calchas wrote: »

Well while we're thinking about when we saw launches:

I was made to watch the Apollo 8 launch

As Monthy Python would have said "You lucky lucky bast@*d!"
I was 20 months old for Apollo 8 and only 27 months at the time of Apollo 11. I have very slight memories of Apollo 17 in Dec 72 but would have loved to have watched the Apollo programme as it happened. I remember the Skylab and ASTP flights quite clearly and then Viking to Mars and the Voyager launches. I was hooked by then and a complete nerd by 1981 for the launch of STS-1:D

ynotdu

gatecrash wrote: »

Enterprise was never intended for orbital flight. According to her official web page (here) it says at the bottom she was never intended for spaceflight

Hi.ya gatecrash,i did not just read the bottom of the article,i read it all:)
Fascinating and very informative!
Thank You for that link!

ynotdu

calchas wrote: »

Well while we're thinking about when we saw launches:

I was made to watch the Apollo 8 launch, as it was about to make history.
Between then and Apollo 11 I did nothing but write about astronauts and the moon at school.
I watched the 11 launch and the lunar landing and first steps (and everything else I was allowed to stay up and watch). All this in black and white and commentated on by Patrick Moore and James Burke.

By the time of the first shuttle launch I was qualified and working in aerospace-avionics and got out of bed early, having worked a night shift, to watch it with friends in a TV room.

I was 6, nearly 7 and 18 respectively.

I could say I've been hooked ever since but compared to some I've just maintained a healthy interest.

Clear skies
Calchas

Calchas can i just echo Beekers words that You are a "Lucky B*stard:D
Apollo 8 would have been the one that done the first orbit of the moon thus allowing a human being to see mankinds first naked eye view of Earthrise.The crew decided to read 'the in the beginning'part of Genisis from the bible as it was xmas eve 1968,(biggest TV audience ever up to that date)Was that what You were woken for or was it for Apollo 8,s launch?

I was only a twinkle in My Fathers eye then:) but i come from a hugh Catholic family{ie,parents did not use Contraception:)}
although my parents were not great believers in education the eldest members of my family tell me they were ripped out of bed for Apollo 11.
I know it landed after 9PM (Irish time)then there was a built in 'sleep period'for Armstrong&Collins that was scrapped{how NASA ever thought anybody could sleep after just landing on the moon defys me:):)}

Armstrong put his foot on the moon at 03.56 Irish time on the 21st of July 1969,even though the date recorded in history is July 20th!{good tip for trivia quiz:)}

Thanks for sharing Your memories of that time!

calchas

Age 6.4 I didn't have much interest in space and technology. We were sat down infront of the TV (my younger brother noth quite 4) by my dad for the Launch. I do have vauge memories of more coverage. I suspect watching the saturn 5 soar into the sky on that huge lick of flame is the first thing that grabbed my imagination. Between 8 and the 11 launch and landing the media were huge on the whole affair. As I said before completely carrying me with it. As it did most of my school mates.

lord lucan

For fans of STS-125 this book is a must. I got it in the post yesterday,some fantastic photos in it.

http://www.amazon.com/Servicing-Hubble-Space-Telescope-Atlantis/dp/1580071384

lord lucan

Great read in this article,particularly remarks by Mike Snyder,Orbiter Project Manager. Gives a good idea of what the people who work with the Orbiters are thinking as the "higher ups" in NASA are restrained by politics.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/02/ssp-balance-between-shuttle-legacy-hlv-advancement/

lord lucan

Just found out that the Intrepid Sea,Air and Space Museum in New York are looking to get hold of an Orbiter when the programme ends. They have a petition on their site.

That would be a great spot for an Orbiter. They have the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier there along with loads of military aircraft,a submarine and a Concorde.

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/shuttle/

Beeker

Still hope.............................................:)

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts131/100310extend/

AugustusMinimus

In fairness, the Venture Star could have been flying now, but for a few engineers insistence at Lockheed Martin that the X33 had to have a composite fuel tank. By all accounts, Lockheed had even solved the composite fuel tank problem, but only after congress had cut off funding.

Will be sad to see the shuttle fleet go. A small capsule or whatever will replace it for US human spaceflight just won't compare.

Beeker

Falcon 9 test firing its engines ahead of launch in April


http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/100313staticfire/

lord lucan

Good article on the retiring orbiters and the politics that will go on behind the scenes about their relocation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703321004575426803336067316.html

thecommander

lord lucan wrote: »

Good article on the retiring orbiters and the politics that will go on behind the scenes about their relocation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703321004575426803336067316.html

One of my favourite ones was placing the shuttle within it protective covering that would have been used if it had of had to do an emergency landing with a classified cargo for the DOD in a foreign country. Ill try find a mockup.

lord lucan

Comprehensive article on the safing and procedures involved in readying the Shuttles for retirement post-flight.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/09/ssp-review-end-state-requirements-for-discovery/

lord lucan

Looks like the Orbiters will be getting 'old' SSME's for cosmetic reasons when they retire. Whilst it's dissapointing that they won't have 'real' SSME's on when on display it makes sense to use existing hardware when available.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/10/replica-engines-retired-orbtiers-flown-ssmes-hlv/

Beeker

lord lucan wrote: »

Looks like the Orbiters will be getting 'old' SSME's for cosmetic reasons when they retire. Whilst it's dissapointing that they won't have 'real' SSME's on when on display it makes sense to use existing hardware when available.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/10/replica-engines-retired-orbtiers-flown-ssmes-hlv/

I agree, hope the real engines help push foward the development of the post shuttle derived launcher.:)

lord lucan

A good article on the future homes of the Orbiters and the politics going on to secure them. I'm biased as i love New York and have been many times to the Intrepid Air & Space Museum so seeing Atlantis go there would be amazing.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_space_thewritestuff/2011/02/who-gets-a-retired-shuttle-ohio-is-now-a-contender-but-it-wont-beat-out-florida.html

lord lucan

Video of Discovery's FRCS being removed for removal of toxins and fluids as part of her safeing for future display.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1gZXt0CHHU

clln

It all feels unreal and a bit macabre watching Discovery being taken apart in the video.

Spaceflight now have images up today which i have saved to disk simply because i am not sure if Spaceflight Now can survive after STS-135 ?
Bolden is to announce on April 12th were the orbiters will go.
April 12th will be the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gargarins launch into Space.

one image below and below that a link to them all.


http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/110327retire/gallery.html

Beeker

clln wrote: »

It all feels unreal and a bit macabre watching Discovery being taken apart in the video.

Spaceflight now have images up today which i have saved to disk simply because i am not sure if Spaceflight Now can survive after STS-135 ?
Bolden is to announce on April 12th were the orbiters will go.
April 12th will be the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gargarins launch into Space.

I know what you mean:(
Dont forget April 12th is also the 30th anniversary of STS-1.

Looking forward to my pligramage to the US in a few years to visit all 3 birds in their final homes.

Must tell Mrs Beeker of the plan

clln

Beeker wrote: »

I know what you mean:(
Dont forget April 12th is also the 30th anniversary of STS-1.

Was testing you there Beeker Honest!:)

Must NOT tell Mrs Beeker of the plan

Had to fix your post there! :P

lord lucan

Vote on who should get an Orbiter. Doesn't count for anything obviously but a bit of craic.:)

http://www.spacetimesnews.com/polls/2011/mar/cities-vying-retired-space-shuttles-nasa/

shadowninty

I begsys one!

squonk

I was around 61/2 myself! I don't remember the first launch but get more into watching them as I grew older. I'm beginning to think we're a lucky generation to have seen the shuttles. I think out kids might not see anything as impressive. It's sad really.

Beeker

clln wrote: »

Was testing you there Beeker Honest!:)





Had to fix your post there! :P

:D:D

lord lucan

Discovery has had her SSME's removed.:(

Rubecula

squonk wrote: »

I was around 61/2 myself! I don't remember the first launch but get more into watching them as I grew older. I'm beginning to think we're a lucky generation to have seen the shuttles. I think out kids might not see anything as impressive. It's sad really.

As impressive as it is and as lucky as we are to have seen it, nothing comes even close to the launch of a Saturn V as in the Apollo misions. Really, that was excitement enough to make you pass around the jelly babies.:)

Tenger

squonk wrote: »

......... I'm beginning to think we're a lucky generation to have seen the shuttles. I think out kids might not see anything as impressive. It's sad really.

Indeed. I have harangued my kids into coming out to see the ISS overhead and made them watch the STS-133 launch.

lord lucan

Rubecula wrote: »

As impressive as it is and as lucky as we are to have seen it, nothing comes even close to the launch of a Saturn V as in the Apollo misions. Really, that was excitement enough to make you pass around the jelly babies.:)

True but the Saturn V and Apollo was before my time so for 'my' generation the Space Shuttle has been the vehicle that's brought man to LEO. I'd love to have witnessed a Saturn V launch. The sheer size of it in the flesh is amazing,the awesome power of launch must've been a sight to behold.

The Shuttle is no less spectacular in launch terms and it's sad that the next chapter hasn't even gotten off the drawing board yet. The shuttle,or certainly the principle of a reusable spacecraft began before Apollo finished,sadly kids now may have to wait some time to see it's successor.

clln

There was nine years between the last Apollo and STS-1s launch.

in between that there was Skylab and three visits to it all by left-over Saturn V/Apollo hardware.
Apollo stopped at 17 although it was to last until Apollo 20,it lost public interest and funding.

There was also Apollo-Soyuz, a political stunt by Nixon and Brezhnev,
good came from that though as a universal docking mechanism was developed allowing Shuttles to dock to MIR.

NASA's new direction it seems to me will leave nothing for far longer than even the delay between Apollo and Space Shuttle

really wish spaceflight was not left at the mercy of fickle politicians :mad::mad::mad:

thecommander

clln wrote: »

really wish spaceflight was not left at the mercy of fickle politicians :mad::mad::mad:

It's a pity that the space program wasn't up for review every 4 years with the presidency. A legacy system would be great.

Beeker

Anouncement to be made today about the permanent locations for the retired Shuttle orbiters. The anouncement will be made during the 30th anniversary cermony for STS-1 at Kennedy Space Center this afternoon.

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/apr/HQ_M11-076_KSC30th.html

thecommander

Beeker wrote: »

Anouncement to be made today about the permanent locations for the retired Shuttle orbiters. The anouncement will be made during the 30th anniversary cermony for STS-1 at Kennedy Space Center this afternoon.

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/apr/HQ_M11-076_KSC30th.html

Atlantis to KSC
Discovery to Smithsonian being reported.

Beeker

thecommander wrote: »

Atlantis to KSC
Discovery to Smithsonian being reported.

Looks that way which is great IMHO. Looking forward to visiting all 3 when they are in place.:) Have to wait and see who gets Endeavour.

thecommander

Beeker wrote: »

Looks that way which is great IMHO. Looking forward to visiting all 3 when they are in place.:) Have to wait and see who gets Endeavour.

JSC should really get Endeavour.

lord lucan

Been hoping all along that Atlantis goes to KSC. Not that i need a reason to go to Florida but it's a handy excuse.:D