|
Author
|
Topic: Boeing Starliner: Airstream Astrovan II
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48484
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 10-21-2019 08:00 AM
   
collectSPACE Astrovan II: Airstream builds new transport for Boeing Starliner crewsWhen Chris Ferguson last left for a launchpad to lift off into space, he rode on a modified Airstream motorhome that NASA used for decades to transport its astronauts. Now, eight years after Ferguson commanded the final space shuttle mission, there is a new Airstream vehicle ready to take him, his crew and future astronauts to the pad to fly on Boeing's new commercial spacecraft. The newly-revealed Astrovan II, built in partnership by Airstream and Boeing, will take crews — beginning with Ferguson's, as soon as early 2020 — to Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida where Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft will be poised for launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.  |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 1025
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 10-28-2019 11:43 AM
Was hoping that the 1983 Excella Airstream Astrovan would be used for the Commercial Crew (both SpaceX and Boeing). I think it would have been neat and traditional to continue using the silver Astrovan. It does not have that many miles on it!As far as the new Astrovan II, I do not like it. It is way too decorated with too much of the program logo! |
Aeropix
Member Posts: 62
From: Dubai
Registered: Apr 2010
|
posted 11-04-2019 02:56 AM
Yuck. The old astrovan was stylish and added some kind of panache to the program of space exploration. This new one, in contrast, though from the same manufacturer, is just a boring off-the-shelf repurposed parking lot bus with some kind of garish stickers on it. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1719
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 11-04-2019 10:36 AM
NASA isn't responsible for transporting the astronauts and so the Airstream remains where is should be, in a museum. This vehicle is perfect for the task. It has the room and AC, what more is needed? Function is more important than form. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 121
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 06-04-2021 12:45 AM
I'm in the market for an RV and so today I visited an Airstream dealership. I let it be known that I was a spaceflight enthusiast and so the sales guy said, "I have something that will interest you." He shows me an Airstream Atlas and says, "The interior is of course completely different. However the outer shell, engine, drive train, transmission, chassis and cab are all identical to the new NASA Astrovan II built for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner. This vehicle came off the same production line." I replied, "I want it. But I want the exterior painted to match the NASA Astrovan II perfectly." The sales guy said, "That can be done after market at a custom paint shop." And then he added, "Provided it doesn't violate any copyright laws." So how about it? Is the paint scheme for the Astrovan II copyrighted? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48484
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-04-2021 01:30 AM
The Astrovan II belongs to Boeing, not NASA, and its exterior graphics are Boeing's (i.e. not in the public domain). You would need to license the design or receive permission from Boeing for its use. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 121
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 06-04-2021 01:42 AM
Thank you for your response Robert. For the record I think the new Astrovan II looks pretty cool. Please don't call it a repurposed parking lot van. |
Liembo
Member Posts: 792
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
|
posted 06-04-2021 10:54 AM
It's likely not paint but a vinyl wrap, which is nice because it's durable for extended life but removable when you don't want it anymore, and the base paint is left pristine. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48484
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-04-2021 01:08 PM
Here are a several more photos of the Astrovan II, taken just before the Starliner OFT-1 launch in 2019: 
|
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 121
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 06-04-2021 09:48 PM
Boeing uses the Astrovan II not just for crew transport but also to raise awareness of their contributions to manned spaceflight and to the Starliner spacecraft. They’ve taken it on cross-country road tips to show it off to the public. Please forgive me for saying so but the Astrovan II is Boeing's response to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 121
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 11-22-2021 08:09 AM
If anyone wants to know I bought a brand new 2021 Airstream Atlas. With tax and license it was 277K, but it’s a wonderful vehicle. So far I’ve had it to Yosemite twice and Lake Tahoe once. Being able to visit those destinations while carrying all the comforts of home is just fantastic. This thing has it all. As for the vinyl wrap I didn’t copy the Boeing Astrovan II. Instead I created my own original design inspired by the new Astrovan. In my design the Starliner Spacecraft is rendered a bit smaller and at a different angle so that it stands out as a space capsule. Also I eliminated the black background and stars to give it a cleaner look. In addition to that I made the American flags larger to stand out better. I left the Mercedes-Benz three point star logo in place front and back as opposed to covering them with the Airstream logo. The “public” reaction has been fantastic. I’m often asked if it’s the actual astrovan and I always answer no. But that doesn’t stop people from enjoying it. They ask to photograph themselves standing in front of it. Parents want to take pictures of their kids sitting in the driver’s seat. One Silicon Valley venture capitalist offered to buy it. Spaceflight enthusiasts act as if it’s the Ghostbusters ECTO-1 or Speed Racer’s Mack 5. I’m not attempting to misrepresent myself or profit from it. It’s just good clean fun and provides me with the opportunity to talk about space and that’s something I’m always willing to do. |
Gordon Eliot Reade
Member Posts: 121
From: Palo Alto, Calif.
Registered: Jun 2015
|
posted 06-06-2022 12:46 PM
Just a quick update if anyone's interested. The "Starliner Express," as I've christened it, has proven to be an instant conversation starter and has even opened a few doors that otherwise might've been closed to me. As for any potential copyright infringements both NASA and Boeing know about it and they haven't complained. NASA Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Suni Williams were kind enough to autograph a photo of it for my sixth grade astronomy students. However they have yet to accept my offer to take it for a test spin. Perhaps they will, someday. A fifth grade teacher from Ed White Elementary School in El Lago, Texas chased me because she wanted to ask about it. Leaving the Mercedes-Benz logo visible in the front and back proved to be useful for overnight "stealth" camping in an urban environment. I've found that I'm welcome to park overnight at any Mercedes-Benz dealership and such places have night watchmen so I always feel quite safe. If there's any drawbacks at all it'd be that the vehicle has more capability than I need. But a smaller van wouldn't be a true "Astrovan." Here's a picture of it and bonus points to the first person who can name the house in the background.  |
advertisement