posted 12-22-2013 09:16 PM
Is the orbiter mockup Independence, recently known as "Explorer," the same one introduced at Kennedy Space Center back in the early 90's as "Ambassador"?
This excerpt from a VIC flyer back in 1991.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-22-2013 09:17 PM
No, but it served as the model for what is now Independence. As A Field Guide to American Spacecraft notes about the Ambassador:
Originally built for a traveling Space Fair sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, this full size model of a Space Shuttle Orbiter breaks into transportable segments allowing it to travel around the world. Note the large viewing windows located at the flight deck and the mid deck. It has been displayed at Kennedy Space Center and in Korea and reportedly is now in Peru.
The last report I have been able to find suggests it was moved from Peru to Chile and was there as recent as 2011, but since then its whereabouts are unknown.