Author Topic: Save Atlas 5A (56-6742) rocket from being scrapped - Campaign and Fundraiser  (Read 81465 times)

Offline Rocket Science

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"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline kevin-rf

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Is it me, or does the rocket look much larger than the trailer?
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline John-H

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As of Saturday, the rocket is still in one piece, sort of. It is crumpled quite a bit around the nose, and is stored outside behind a building.

John

Offline Helodriver

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Just as I feared all along. They've made zero provisions for actually saving it.

Criminal mistreatment of history. They should feel ashamed of themselves as a museum.

Offline kevin-rf

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That's criminal, they should never be allowed another historic artifact from anyone ever again.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Online edkyle99

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If unguarded, scavenger/scrappers will be at it in no time.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 02/28/2015 09:51 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline Rocket Science

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Unbelievable...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline John-H

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The skin is so thin it can be bent, or straightened, by hand. Everything else is there.

It doesn't look as if it ever had a centre engine.

John

Offline kevin-rf

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The A models did not have the center engine. They where prototypes to prove the concept. The B models where to prove the stage and a half concept.

That is why this rocket was so rare and special.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Ronpur50

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If sealed and pumped back up, would it re-inflate?  This is sad.

Offline John-H

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The A models did not have the center engine. They where prototypes to prove the concept. The B models where to prove the stage and a half concept.

That is why this rocket was so rare and special.

It looks as if there was an empty space there. I can see an amazing amount of wiring, all hand tied into bundles.

John

Offline Rocket Science

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If sealed and pumped back up, would it re-inflate?  This is sad.
If placed in a jig to provide support and tension while hydraulic pressure inside inside might work. There is now damage to the feed lines as well...
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Rocket Science

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What’s the truth about this museum? I get two stories: one closed for renovations for two years another is permanently closed....
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline Space Enthusiast

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Some of the news reporting creates the impression that the museum expects the public to accept that it is only natural for an artifact displayed outdoors to eventually rust away. That seems unreasonable. Surely there are practical methods of preservation to protect against corrosion and the effects of weather. Is preservation not among the standard functions of a museum?

This incident raises a few questions:

1. Did the USAF set terms and conditions for the loan of the artifact, that included the requirement that it be preserved?

2. Did the standard of preservation specify that it be suitably protected against corrosion and the effects of weather?

3. Did the USAF periodically inspect the artifact to verify compliance?

There appears to be a lack of accountability.

The museum in question is owned by the Government of Canada. It is a federal Crown Corporation:

http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1373303400693/1373303519489

Quote from the above page:

"The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is responsible for preserving and protecting Canada's scientific and technological heritage and for promoting and sharing knowledge about that heritage. The Corporation operates the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Agriculture Museum. The museums tell the stories of Canadian ingenuity and achievement in science and technology and demonstrate how these accomplishments have contributed to building our country."

Given that mandate, the present lack of interest in a U.S. artifact is understandable. The USAF's lack of interest, less so.

Space Enthusiast

Offline mike robel

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Some of the missile in the USAF Space museum can be in quite a bad state.  The USAF does not always have the funds to maintain and inspect their artifacts.  This is part of the reason Dayton is moving their exhibits indoors.

yes, the USAF sets standards, as do all the services.

Offline Rocket Science

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No professional curator would allow an artifact to meet this fate. If as they say it needed to come down, it did not happen overnight and there would be ample time to find a new home. Since they are government owned, its citizens have a right to see the documented proof that they did so... The question could be made through the office of the local MP if they don’t cooperate.
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

Offline John-H

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What’s the truth about this museum? I get two stories: one closed for renovations for two years another is permanently closed....


This is the main campus of the Science and Technology museum and has been there since the 1960's. Since then they have acquired an Agricultural museum and an Aviation museum, and the Aviation museum in particular has large new buildings, a more focused mandate and has attracted much of the money and management interest. The original building is also rather ordinary and much of their energy has been taken up with making proposals for a new one - thus the old one has been so neglected that the roof leaks and the insulation is mouldy and has been declared a hazard. The building has been closed and they have received $80 million to rebuild it. It is hoped to reopen in two years.

John

Offline Antilope7724

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It's a crime that this historic artifact was ruined by neglect and mishandeling.

I'm amazed at how the stainless steel still gleams like it was brand new even after 40 years outside in the harsh environment.
« Last Edit: 03/01/2015 03:49 pm by Antilope7724 »

Offline kevin-rf

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The actions of this museum are so illogical that it killed Spock.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Rocket Science

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What’s the truth about this museum? I get two stories: one closed for renovations for two years another is permanently closed....


This is the main campus of the Science and Technology museum and has been there since the 1960's. Since then they have acquired an Agricultural museum and an Aviation museum, and the Aviation museum in particular has large new buildings, a more focused mandate and has attracted much of the money and management interest. The original building is also rather ordinary and much of their energy has been taken up with making proposals for a new one - thus the old one has been so neglected that the roof leaks and the insulation is mouldy and has been declared a hazard. The building has been closed and they have received $80 million to rebuild it. It is hoped to reopen in two years.

John
Thanks John!
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
~Rob: Physics instructor, Aviator

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