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Topic: Photo of the week 388 (March 31, 2012)
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heng44 Member Posts: 3387 From: Netherlands Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 03-31-2012 02:46 AM
The space shuttle Enterprise is parked on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base following completion of the first successful tail-cone-off free flight on October 12, 1977. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and a T-38 chase plane pass overhead in an aerial salute. This was the fourth of five scheduled manned unpowered missions at Dryden Flight Research Center. The two crewmen were astronauts Joe Engle and Richard Truly. Ed Hengeveld |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 03-31-2012 08:15 AM
Always neat. Kind of wish they would put the nose probe back on her (or fabricate a replacement) and return her to her original markings... |
alanh_7 Member Posts: 1252 From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 03-31-2012 09:37 AM
I wonder how the sand and dust played with the electronics and equipment on board. I remember asking Jack Lousma about the STS-3 landing at White Sands and he said the sand really caused issues with Columbia. |
MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 03-31-2012 04:56 PM
I'm surprised that the sand at White Sands caused problems. The sand there is comprised of gypsum, not quartz, which is much softer (you can scratch if with your fingernail). But I'm sure Jack knows what he is talking about. Good question to ask him next time I see him! |
alanh_7 Member Posts: 1252 From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 03-31-2012 06:39 PM
Apparently the sand was so fine it got into everything nook and crany. |
OV-105 Member Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 03-31-2012 07:16 PM
The problem was the wind picked up after landing like the day before. Once it gets gets in the air it will go everywhere. It takes a big wind storm to get the sand going on the lakebeds at Edwards. |
mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 03-31-2012 09:36 PM
I never get tired of these views of the ALT's. The entire shuttle program was just getting started. Too bad we're not looking forward to a new manned program now.As to the photo above, something heavier than the Enterprise made some pretty good tracks in the lakebed. Thanks for these great shots, Ed! |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 03-31-2012 10:54 PM
Would like to see some shots of Columbia sitting at White Sands (hint, hint)... |
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 04-03-2012 10:12 PM
quote: Originally posted by APG85: Kind of wish they would put the nose probe back on her (or fabricate a replacement) and return her to her original markings...
Agreed. I love Enterprise's original simple, pristine appearance...the subsequent markings meant to mimic her sister ships just never looked right. Enterprise was a unique vehicle; she should have her unique look restored. |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 04-03-2012 10:31 PM
I don't like the trend of 'restoring" or diplaying spacecraft incorrectly. Another example is Lunar Module 2 at the NASM. They've restored it to represent LM-5. It is historical in it's own right and should be displayed as LM-2. I'd also like to see all capsules displayed complete...with all of their hatches, etc. You wouldn't remove the cockpit door of the Spirit of St. Louis and display it in another museum so why do they insist on doing this with the Gemini and Apollo capsules? My two cents... |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 04-04-2012 04:19 PM
While it would be nice to have all spacecraft/rockets displayed 'whole' and in their correct flight configuration (i.e. LM-2 and not as Apollo 11's LM-5), it would deny the general public, at least, the chance to see an authentic LM restored and standing-in for the most famous LM of all. Also, keep in mind there are very few LMs or parts thereof lying around! This practice is commonplace in aviation museums and airworthy collections around the globe, so if one wants to see a 'real' WW2 B-25 bomber like that flown in the Doolittle Raid, a contemporary example painted-up as one of the 16 aircraft will have to do. The only other alternative is to construct a fiberglass or other type of full-scale mockup. But as long as the signage states the history/provenance of the object being displayed, I'm sure people will realize the real thing (as in the case of the original LM-5) is unavailable for exhibit. |
mikej Member Posts: 481 From: Germantown, WI USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-04-2012 05:52 PM
LM-2's 2009 refurbishment notwithstanding, "restoring" spacecraft to representing other spacecraft is not a recent "trend". In fact, I don't think LM-2 was ever displayed as LM-2.From the August 5, 1969 entry of SP-4011 Skylab: A Chronology: Following the decision to implement the Saturn V dry Workshop, LM-2 was the only flight LM article to remain on Earth. Therefore, NASA Hq requested MSC consideration for early disposition of it to the Smithsonian Institution as an artifact of historical interest. Since it was expected that the Smithsonian would exhibit LM-2 as a replica of LM-5, Headquarters also requested that MSC consider refurbishment to provide a more accurate representation of the LM-5 configuration before its transfer to the Smithsonian. |
Joel Katzowitz Member Posts: 808 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 04-04-2012 07:42 PM
Any idea on who the lone figure walking away might be? I understand that Guenter Wendt wore orange coveralls while he worked for Rockwell. |
astro-nut Member Posts: 946 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 04-05-2012 04:20 PM
Thank you for sharing another great photo!! Just beautiful!!Any suggestions on who might be flying the T-38 aircraft? I think Fitz Fulton is flying the SCA/747. Thanks. |
mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 04-05-2012 09:35 PM
Could possibly be Charlie Justiz. |