Topic: Final Flights: NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 905
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2012 10:06 PM
NASA905 made it final flight today (Sept. 24), flying from Los Angeles International Airport to Dryden Flight Research Center. According to FlightAware, the 19 minute flight landed at 10:18 a.m. PDT (1818 GMT).
NASA905 will now be decommissioned and become a parts donor for the SOFIA airborne observatory.
Credit: NASA/Scott Andrews
Credit: CSC/Terbine
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2414 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 09-25-2012 05:20 AM
I understand the economics behind cannibilizing 905 for parts. But I wish it would be donated to the Museum of Flight in Seattle with mock engines and an "Explorer" class Orbiter replica on top.
APG85 Member
Posts: 233 From: Registered: Jan 2008
posted 09-25-2012 05:35 AM
I'm also surprised it's not going to a museum...
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 1271 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 09-25-2012 05:39 AM
I like the plan Tim.
Not wishing any museum ill will but while we were at KSC earlier this month we could not help but notice that the Astronaut Hall of Fame was not well attended and you have to wonder what would become of the orbiter mockup there. It would be a good candidate for a refurbishment and used in such a display.
I am sure it would be able to be shipped out on a barge all be it a VERY long haul. (That self may make it cost prohibitive).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-25-2012 07:55 AM
According to the SCA flight crew, moving NASA905 once its motors are removed becomes a significant logistical issue. That said, there is a talk that Dryden may eventually look at putting NASA905 on display at the center.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 1860 From: Toms River, NJ,USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 09-25-2012 08:38 AM
If they're gonna take it apart for spare parts, then I'm tempted to go over there with a tool bag and remove the "Place orbiter here / black side down" plate....
ea757grrl Member
Posts: 520 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
posted 09-25-2012 08:35 PM
As great as it would be for the Museum of Flight to get NASA 905, they already have the prototype 747 that needs shelter (and a lot of restoration work), along with the others in the airpark.
My hope is the Dryden display idea comes true...that they'll replace whatever external components are taken to equip SOFIA with display parts (i.e., timed-out or non-flightworthy components) and put her on exhibit. That aircraft deserves to be kept around.
tegwilym Member
Posts: 2276 From: Renton, WA USA Registered: Jan 2000
posted 09-27-2012 03:43 PM
quote:Originally posted by ea757grrl: As great as it would be for the Museum of Flight to get NASA 905, they already have the prototype 747 that needs shelter (and a lot of restoration work), along with the others in the airpark.
Good idea! Let her come back home for retirement.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 581 From: Ridgecrest, CA USA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 09-27-2012 10:06 PM
It would be better if they put it out at Blackbird Park at Palmdale. More people will be able to see it there than if they keep it at Dryden on EAFB.
astro-nut Member
Posts: 484 From: washington, Illinois USA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 09-29-2012 08:39 AM
I, too, agree with other collectSPACE members that Shuttle Carrier Aircraft 905 should be kept in a museum somewhere (Dryden or Houston/JSC) for us space fans to go get a chance to see it. A walkthrough would be excellent. Hopefully someday I will be able to see this historic aircraft.
p51 Member
Posts: 532 From: Olympia, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 09-29-2012 12:08 PM
quote:Originally posted by ea757grrl: As great as it would be for the Museum of Flight to get NASA 905, they already have the prototype 747 that needs shelter (and a lot of restoration work), along with the others in the airpark.
Exactly, they are years away from providing shelter for the large planes they have (their B-29 was just covered in plastic like they do at AMARC).
But yeah, if the vomit comet was preserved (as I saw it at Ellington Field earlier this month), then a shuttle carrier should as well!
Ronpur Member
Posts: 95 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
posted 10-11-2012 10:55 AM
quote:Originally posted by Lee Brandon Cremer: Here is my complete list (PDF) updated with the missing seven SCAs not identified previously.
Is there an updated version of this chart? It shows 911 as doing the museum flights. But 905 did them.
Was 911 final ferry mission with OV-103 in 2009 after STS-128?
X-Plane Fan Member
Posts: 116 From: CA, USA Registered: Jul 2007
posted 10-11-2012 03:01 PM
Yes, the final ferry mission for 911 was STS-128 in Sept. 2009. Final flight was Feb. 8, 2012. 905 performed all the museum delivery flights.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-24-2012 09:44 AM
NASA905 has not yet made its final flight!
The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft will be flying to Houston today to be on display at the Wings Over Houston airshow at Ellington Field this weekend.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-28-2012 06:46 AM
A few photographs of NASA 905 at Ellington Field on Saturday (Oct. 27):
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Houston, you have a space shuttle ...carrier aircraft.
NASA's original jumbo jet that was used to ferry the space shuttles around the country has landed at Ellington Field in Houston, where it is to stay.
p51 Member
Posts: 532 From: Olympia, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 11-26-2012 01:48 PM
Is it going to join the original vomit comet on display or is it going to become a hangar queen for parts?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-26-2012 01:55 PM
From the article:
...the big Boeing jet will be retired and eventually placed on public display.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 25885 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-18-2012 12:14 PM
NASA 905 took to the air today (Dec. 18), on an hour and a half circle that took it out over Louisiana before returning to Ellington Field.
posted 09-24-2012 10:06 PM
advertisement