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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 411 (September 8, 2012)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-08-2012 08:33 AM
   
 This photo was taken following the last captive-active test flight of the shuttle prototype Enterprise aboard NASA shuttle carrier aircraft # 905 on July 26, 1977. The landing gear of Enterprise was lowered during the final portion of the flight. The men pictured include the flight crews of both craft. From left are SCA pilot Fitz Fulton, Enterprise pilot Gordon Fullerton, SCA flight engineer Vic Horton, Enterprise commander Fred Haise, SCA flight engineer Vincent Alvarez and SCA co-pilot Tom McMurtry. Ed Hengeveld |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-08-2012 09:27 AM
What a unique config with the gear down. Thanks Ed. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-08-2012 09:51 AM
I see there was enough clearance for the nose gear, but did the main gear just clear the side of the SCA, or is that the angle of the photo? |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-08-2012 09:57 AM
You are right: there was very little clearance, but apparently just enough. 
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dabolton
Member Posts: 419
From: Seneca, IL, US
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 09-08-2012 10:27 AM
What was the purpose of this test? Ferrying with wheels down would not seem like a necessary concept to prove. |
space1
Member Posts: 853
From: Danville, Ohio
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 09-08-2012 10:57 AM
...but verification of proper gear deployment before committing to free flights would be useful. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-08-2012 11:31 AM
Exactly! The next flight would be the first free flight. |
Max Q
Member Posts: 399
From: Whyalla South Australia
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 09-08-2012 02:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by space1:
...but verification of proper gear deployment before committing to free flights would be useful.
Traditionalist.  |
bwhite1976
Member Posts: 281
From: Belleville, IL
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 09-08-2012 07:21 PM
I never thought about this until I saw that hatch wide open. Haise and Fullerton had an interesting ride just to get into the Enterprise on that cherry picker. Interesting. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 09-09-2012 12:49 AM
The cherry-picker was to get them out. They went in via the Mate-Demate Device... |
dabolton
Member Posts: 419
From: Seneca, IL, US
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 09-09-2012 03:32 PM
One of the concerns with a belly landing of a Shuttle was the RCS exploding; could they have belly landed Enterprise because it wasnt loaded with any propellant? |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 09-29-2012 08:33 AM
Another excellant photo!!! Thank you for sharing with us. Any photos of the orbiters with the SCA are great photos! |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1049
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-04-2012 05:45 PM
Love this. |
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