I heard that the SSME is now at the museum on the National Mall, and that the F1 engine was sent back to NASA. They tore apart and updated the F1 and actually test fired it to gain data for SLS. Check out this link:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/nasa-engine-test-parts-saturn-v-rocket-moon_n_2534361.html
Quote from: TimSnyder on 01/24/2013 01:56 pmI heard that the SSME is now at the museum on the National Mall, and that the F1 engine was sent back to NASA. They tore apart and updated the F1 and actually test fired it to gain data for SLS. Check out this link:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/nasa-engine-test-parts-saturn-v-rocket-moon_n_2534361.htmlI was in DC today so I checked in on the engines.The SSME is indeed in the still incomplete display at the downtown Air and Space. The display F1 is still downtown too, not sure if the Smithsonian had a second F1?
I was wrong. What I saw at Huntsville was not a complete F-1, but the powerpack. I'm not sure exactly what this part is called. There were other parts on the floor, but I didn't take any pictures so I don't know what they were.
Where it went I have no idea but, I'm pretty sure that F-1 was on its way out the door.
I visited Discovery this week. It was awesome to see her again! One thing I noticed is the slight orange coloring of the tiles from the ET doors back to the end of the body flap. You can kind of see it in the photos. I suspect this is from ET separation but I'm not sure.
Quote from: Sarah on 05/12/2013 05:27 amI visited Discovery this week. It was awesome to see her again! One thing I noticed is the slight orange coloring of the tiles from the ET doors back to the end of the body flap. You can kind of see it in the photos. I suspect this is from ET separation but I'm not sure. That's interesting about the orange stains.The thing I always found curious about Discovery was the dark strip of black thermal tiles she has running down from one of her right cockpit windows. It's quite distinctive - you don't see it on any other orbiter. Always assumed she had an extra piece of equipment there that needed special heat protection, or a structural weakness that might have also needed 'patching up'. But could never find the answer on Google.Anyone out there know the reason?
Originally Discovery had four HRSI tiles under her window but at some point one was replaced with an LRSI tile.
Maybe the HRSI tiles under Discovery's window were some kind of "shuttle birthmark" like Columbia's "sideburns" on the top of the wings.
So what you are all saying is poor Discovery has a birth defect? lol
I always called it "the tear," although I can't explain why my favorite orbiter should have been crying...
Quote from: Ares67 on 05/27/2013 05:42 pmI always called it "the tear," although I can't explain why my favorite orbiter should have been crying... A tear of joy at getting the majority of headline-grabbing missions?
...did you notice any dust on Discovery? I heard complaints about that.
Just for fun, I will be at the Udvar-Hazy talking to the docents on Wednesday Dec 10 2014 at 9 AM. Hopefully this will give the team some insight so they can give even better tours.
I'm going to be in DC mid-week, and am trying to figure out planning around a trip to Udvar-Hazy. Any tips? How reliable is the bus from the airport? Would getting an Uber be a better choice?I'm sure I'll be star-struck by Discovery, are there other displays/artifacts that I won't want to miss by mistake?
I'm going to be in DC mid-week, and am trying to figure out planning around a trip to Udvar-Hazy. Any tips? How reliable is the bus from the airport? Would getting an Uber be a better choice?
By the way if anybody out there is coming to the Portland, Oregon area definitely make time for the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Spruce Goose, SR-71 Blackbird, and the only remaining Titan II SLV. It's just over an hour's drive from the Portland airport.
Quote from: kendalla59 on 05/29/2023 02:41 pmBy the way if anybody out there is coming to the Portland, Oregon area definitely make time for the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Spruce Goose, SR-71 Blackbird, and the only remaining Titan II SLV. It's just over an hour's drive from the Portland airport.There is a Titan II in the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
We do what we do to help inspire future generations. Yesterday’s achievements made way for today’s innovations. And today’s innovations pave the way for tomorrow’s pioneers.The sky is, indeed, not the limit.