Space Shuttle departure from Edwards AFB

At last, an answer to post 10! All comes to he who waits. The next question would be, how long would the mating operation take?

Great shots!

As for getting the Shuttle on top of the orbiter, they did use this method after STS-3:

For the ‘modern’ approach have a look here: http://www1.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/STS-MDD/Medium/index.html

The Orbiter retires…

I think NASA want to retire the Shuttle fleet by 2010, however a good friend in the space insurance industry tells me they will extend the life by 1 -2 years as the space station will not be completed by 2010.
Time is running out to catch this fantasic “in flight” upwards or downwards! So book the Hols soon or miss it.

I remember the Stansted visit very well and have some great slides of the event. The shuttle arrived on a friday and departed the following monday.
It was parked up on the large hardstanding next to the old terminal building and public access was allowed over the weekend.
We went late on the saturday afternoon, along with most of the population of East Anglia and London. In those days access to the airport was along a small road off the old A120 with traffic light control where you went across the end of the runway.
We came from the Braintree direction and came to a grinding halt 2 miles from the airfield and had to leave the car in Takeley and walk, along with several thousand other people. I remember the grass verges on either side of the road were worn away by countless feet.
Eventually we reached our goal, but by then it was getting dark, fortunately, I had my camera tripod with me and took some very atmospheric shots, the whole scenario was floodlit.
On the monday I got lucky, I was working a couple of miles away and had a sympathetic boss. I arrived at the traffic lights just as they turned red and got out of the car in time to photograph this huge monster taking off right in front of me, it was pretty awesome.

Ex RAF Spitfire Pilot, Raymond Baxter?

Micheal Rodd I think.

Ex RAF Spitfire Pilot, Raymond Baxter?

Nice pictures there Richard, like the further photos and explanations on your link. Anybody remember the Shuttle’s visit to Stansted in the 70’s/80’s?

Yeah – I was there as a wee teenager, very impressive to see it arrive. Though it did arrive late and I think the guy from Tomorrows World was the commentator.

Simply stunning.:)

next question would be, do they have one of these units at each possible emergency site?

Yes, during trips round Kennedy Space Centre earlier this year (and during tours in 2005 IIRC) the tour guides confirmed NASA do indeed have purpose built “Mating/De-mating” rigs at each of the main Shuttle main landing sites (Edwards, Kennedy etc) – but I’m not sure about any being present at the (few) designated “emergency” landing sites though.

I presume they may have some sort of air-transportable “contingency” lifting frame/rig that can be flown out to any of the other landing sites, and then be fitted to a heavy-lift crane or similar?

I assume they have similar issue with all the other “orbiter-specific” ground handling equipment too.

P.S. KSC is well worth the round trip for anyone holidaying in Orlando/Central Florida.

Paul F

The answer is a giant cradle that lifts the shuttle and the 747 is then pushed underneath it, presumably a large version of a yacht mover. The next question would be, do they have one of these units at each possible emergency site?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070622164214AAaltbX

What I want to know is, how on Earth (where else?) do they get the shuttle onto the back of the Jumbo?

After the Shuttle

First many thanks for sharing the superb pics.
Second, for Merlin 70 by chance I found this on the BBC about two plans for after the shuttle,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6260724.stm

Love that first shot! Wow! How close did they let people get?

Don’t blame them for not coming into Florida. Coming in either dead stick or piggyback, the weather has been a bit dicey. Crosswinds, turbulence, possible hail?? I think I would divert as well. No need to take extra chances.

The Shuttle did not reach Florida despite all the planning and forecasting. It stopped at Fort Campbell, Kentucky for refuelling and an en-route weather forecast grounded the plane until probably Tuesday.

I was at Stansted when the Orbiter piggy backed in. IIRC she was returning to the US from the Paris Airshow. It was circa 1983.

Nice pictures there Richard, like the further photos and explanations on your link. Anybody remember the Shuttle’s visit to Stansted in the 70’s/80’s?

I remember the flybast over Manchester Airport,we viewed it from the “Brickworks” (who remembers that place ? ) or am i showing my age ?????

Great coverage of a remarkable activity.

What is planned to replace the current fleet of orbiters?

Nice pictures there Richard, like the further photos and explanations on your link. Anybody remember the Shuttle’s visit to Stansted in the 70’s/80’s?