Author Topic: Orbiter retirement (Read 350383 times)

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #1180 on:** 04/13/2011 03:50 am »

Quote from: Rocket Guy on 04/13/2011 12:19 am

It's only speculation, but Enterprise could take Discovery's place in the OPF (or VAB) while it awaits the new Intrepid enclosure. It would sure be nice if they posed all four in front of the VAB once next year before they are sent off...

Dulles does have hangars you know, Enterprise was stored at one for years before the Dulles annex opened. also since Enterprise will have to be moved to Intrepid by barge it could be stored in a normal climate controlled hangar up in New York and shipped later when the glass hangar is ready.

Rifleman · « **Reply #1181 on:** 04/13/2011 11:00 am »

I would rather one of the museums that applied and has space ready display one of the orbiters that is waiting it permanent home to be built for a couple of years than have them gathering dust in a storage facility. This would allow many more people to see them, and solve the storage problem. The only major problem with this is keeping the SCA active to transport them again once the permanent displays are complete (but this could still be a problem if the winning museums can not take delivery for several years)

psloss · « **Reply #1182 on:** 04/13/2011 11:06 am »

Quote from: Rifleman on 04/13/2011 11:00 am

The only major problem with this is keeping the SCA active to transport them again once the permanent displays are complete (but this could still be a problem if the winning museums can not take delivery for several years)

NASA is planning on delivering all the vehicles by the end of next year.

JayP · « **Reply #1183 on:** 04/13/2011 01:33 pm »

Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 04/13/2011 03:50 am

Quote from: Rocket Guy on 04/13/2011 12:19 am
It's only speculation, but Enterprise could take Discovery's place in the OPF (or VAB) while it awaits the new Intrepid enclosure. It would sure be nice if they posed all four in front of the VAB once next year before they are sent off...

Dulles does have hangars you know, Enterprise was stored at one for years before the Dulles annex opened. also since Enterprise will have to be moved to Intrepid by barge it could be stored in a normal climate controlled hangar up in New York and shipped later when the glass hangar is ready.

Actually, Dulles has almost no hanger facilitites at all, just some corporate hangers up at the north end of the field. Enterprise (and several other aircraft in the collection) were stored in a pupose built steel building about a mile and a half from the new center. I have no idea what the condition of that building is now.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1184 on:** 04/13/2011 03:30 pm »

will Atlantis be out in the open when she is on display or in a building like the Saturn V?

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #1185 on:** 04/13/2011 03:32 pm »

Quote from: MarkD on 04/13/2011 03:30 pm

will Atlantis be out in the open when she is on display or in a building like the Saturn V?

See this for the detailed plan.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1186 on:** 04/13/2011 03:43 pm »

Reasonably epic, as much as I worry about the way she's proped up like that (what do I know).

Would be an outrage if they left her outside in the sea air, so that's all good.

JayP · « **Reply #1187 on:** 04/13/2011 04:29 pm »

I will be REALLY impressed is they configure the payload bay as STS-125. The generic end configuration says that the docking base will not be installed, so that would be the most accurate representation of a real flight.

gordo · « **Reply #1188 on:** 04/13/2011 05:04 pm »

Enterprise will need to leave when Discovery arrives, now no reason why it could not come down to KSC for VAB storage for a few months while facilities are ready at the intrepid and at JFK for unloading. Demate and tow at KSC would be fairly straightforward and not a massive expense in the scheme of things

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #1189 on:** 04/13/2011 07:40 pm »

Quote from: gordo on 04/13/2011 05:04 pm

Enterprise will need to leave when Discovery arrives, now no reason why it could not come down to KSC for VAB storage for a few months while facilities are ready at the intrepid and at JFK for unloading. Demate and tow at KSC would be fairly straightforward and not a massive expense in the scheme of things

Simpler to store her at a hangar at JFK, I am sure some airline would store it until the orbiter is ready, then move it by barge to the museum.

Another Idea for Houston, any way to get Et-94 there? I know it is not anything related to the training of the orbiter or space flown, but it is a unique item that is not going anywhere. Maybe it could be moved there once NASA determines when it is not needed.

Downix · « **Reply #1190 on:** 04/13/2011 08:01 pm »

Quote from: Ronsmytheiii on 04/13/2011 07:40 pm

Quote from: gordo on 04/13/2011 05:04 pm
Enterprise will need to leave when Discovery arrives, now no reason why it could not come down to KSC for VAB storage for a few months while facilities are ready at the intrepid and at JFK for unloading. Demate and tow at KSC would be fairly straightforward and not a massive expense in the scheme of things

Simpler to store her at a hangar at JFK, I am sure some airline would store it until the orbiter is ready, then move it by barge to the museum.

Another Idea for Houston, any way to get Et-94 there? I know it is not anything related to the training of the orbiter or space flown, but it is a unique item that is not going anywhere. Maybe it could be moved there once NASA determines when it is not needed.

ET-94 is being prepared for SLS operation according to the law.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #1191 on:** 04/13/2011 08:13 pm »

Just an FYI, made a facebook group to bring ET-94 to Houston, hopefully will stir a conversation

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_123238757753208

Quote from: Downix on 04/13/2011 08:01 pm

ET-94 is being prepared for SLS operation according to the law.

That is true, but the ET will not be destroyed from the testing, so hopefully it can be retired to Houston. the MPTA-ET used for the shuttle program is now the display tank for Pathfinder in Alabama.

GClark · « **Reply #1192 on:** 04/14/2011 06:05 am »

In all this, has there been any word on disposition of MPTA-098?

Skylab · « **Reply #1193 on:** 04/14/2011 06:07 pm »

There was a link to this on another thread already, but this may give some food for thought here too:

http://waynehale.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/why-houston-did-not-get-a-shuttle/

JayP · « **Reply #1194 on:** 04/14/2011 06:31 pm »

Quote from: GClark on 04/14/2011 06:05 am

In all this, has there been any word on disposition of MPTA-098?

That was converted into the shuttle-C mockup years ago. I don't know if it is even still in existence.

Edit - Apparently it was still at MSFC as of 8 months ago, but it doesn't look like much now.

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum41/HTML/000356.html

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1195 on:** 04/14/2011 11:53 pm »

Um, honestly, seeing Atlantis hanging like what is seen in the art makes me nervous. Seeing her displayed more like how Enterprise was seems better. But that's me. An orbiter hung by cables doesn't look safe to me.

What will become of Columbia and Challenger?

robertross · « **Reply #1196 on:** 04/15/2011 12:01 am »

Quote from: MarkD on 04/14/2011 11:53 pm

Um, honestly, seeing Atlantis hanging like what is seen in the art makes me nervous. Seeing her displayed more like how Enterprise was seems better. But that's me. An orbiter hung by cables doesn't look safe to me.

Hung by cables? No, she'll be securely fastened to the floor and through her External Tank attach points. If it's good enough to survive a launch, it's good enough for a static display.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1197 on:** 04/15/2011 02:11 pm »

Oh, ok. I see. The way it looked in the paintings seemed it would be hanging from the ceiling.

SpaceAndrew25 · « **Reply #1198 on:** 04/16/2011 05:04 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 04/13/2011 03:43 pm

Reasonably epic, as much as I worry about the way she's proped up like that (what do I know).

I personally worry about it too. I hope they display the orbiters safely.

rdale · « **Reply #1199 on:** 04/16/2011 01:27 pm »

In the litigation era we have today, worrying about safety is the last thing that should be on your mind...