|
|
|
|
Author
|
Topic: Shuttle Launch Entry Suits in museums?
|
sfurtaw
Member Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004
|
posted 01-27-2007 04:48 PM
   
Today I was talking with Stan Bozich, the director of Michigan's Own Military & Space Museum, and his desire to obtain a Shuttle Launch and Entry Suit to display at the museum... or any suit for that matter. My questions are:What ever happened to the suits used on STS-1 thru 4? Specifically Jack Lousma's from STS-3? I thought I read somewhere here (I searched but could not find it) that the Shuttle Launch and Entry Suits changed sometime between STS-26 and today. Is this true? Does anyone know if the Shuttle Launch and Entry Helmets used from STS-5 thru 51L are ever loaned out to museums? Are Shuttle EMUs ever retired and loaned to museums? Who should Stan contact (at the Smithsonian?) about such items? Stan has also expressed interest in obtaining a rocket. Am I correct is assuming that they are all spoken for? Is there anyone who builds full scale models for museums? Any help is greatly appreciated.
------------------
Scott Furtaw
In Memoriam: The Astronaut/Cosmonaut Memorial Web Site
www.astronautmemorial.net |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-27-2007 05:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sfurtaw:
What ever happened to the suits used on STS-1 thru 4? Specifically Jack Lousma's from STS-3?
John Young's suit is on display at Space Center Houston. The similar suit that Robert Crippen wore is believed to have been returned to the Air Force. Its present location is unknown.I haven't seen record of the other STS-2 through STS-4 David Clark Company Model S1030A Ejection Escape Suits on display. quote:
I thought I read somewhere here (I searched but could not find it) that the Shuttle Launch and Entry Suits changed sometime between STS-26 and today. Is this true?
The current suit is the David Clark Model S1035 Advanced Crew Escape Suit (ACES), per U.S. Spacesuits by Kenneth S. Thomas and Harold J. McMann. It entered flight service in 1994. Before then, following the Challenger accident in 1986, the S1032 Launch Escape Suit (LES) was used. The S0135 improved upon the S1032 by facilitating self-donning/doffing and increased comfort. The S1035 operates at 3.5 psi as opposed to the S1032 LES pressure of 2.8 psi. The S1032 LES helmet was carried forward for use with the S1035 ACES (with minor adjustments). quote:
Does anyone know if the Shuttle Launch and Entry Helmets used from STS-5 thru 51L are ever loaned out to museums?
It may not be complete, but the Smithsonian's Online Collection database does not list even one of these helmets in its possession. quote:
Are Shuttle EMUs ever retired and loaned to museums?
Per NASA and the Smithsonian, there is not yet a complete flown EMU in museum possession (or on display). This is primarily due to NASA's reuse of the suits. After their components are no longer flight worthy, they are transitioned to Class III training, for use in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab and elsewhere. Other suit components have been used by NASA for educational purposes. The Smithsonian lists (early) EMU gloves in their collection and does have unflown and replica display units. quote:
Who should Stan contact (at the Smithsonian?) about such items?
The spacesuit curator at the Smithsonian is Amanda Young. The Space Shuttle artifact curator is Valerie Neal. quote:
Stan has also expressed interest in obtaining a rocket. Am I correct is assuming that they are all spoken for? Is there anyone who builds full scale models for museums?
By rocket, do you mean a booster or the spacecraft (capsule)? To answer your second question, there are several companies that build full-scale replicas including Global Effects and Guard Lee. |
sfurtaw
Member Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004
|
posted 01-28-2007 08:26 PM
Robert-I should have known that you and your vast knowledge would be the first reply. Thank you so much. quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
By rocket, do you mean a booster or the spacecraft (capsule)?
By "rocket", I mean booster with spacecraft. While everything inside the museum is honoring people, Stan does have an M1 tank and an F-86 outside to act as landmarks and to attract people. He would like something outside which represents Michigan's contributions to the space program. Outside of the shuttle, that limits him to the Gemini/Titan II (McDivitt), Apollo/Saturn 1B (Chaffee and Lousma), and the Apollo/Saturn 5 (Worden). While assuming that any leftovers have long been spoken for, I thought that a full-scale replica would be his best bet. Thank you again. I will pass this all on to Stan tomorrow. ------------------
Scott Furtaw
In Memoriam: The Astronaut/Cosmonaut Memorial Web Site www.astronautmemorial.net [Edited by sfurtaw (January 28, 2007).] | |
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a
|
|
|
 advertisement
|
