Houston NASA/JSC To Get 747/Shuttle Piggyback Display

[Pogo]

Wasn't expecting this........

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/hom ... rrier.html

[old iron]

To be displayed outdoors?

[RickH]

Yeah, the minds that sent the Shuttle into space cannot comprehend that putting this less than a mile from saltwater is probably not a great long term proposal ! They are going to spend millions to disassemble and move the 747 from Ellington, stack the Futtle on top, and then build a walkway/gantry so folks can walkup to the upper levels. Or, they could build a hangar to keep it out of the weather and constant salt air exposure that would actually PRESERVE the combination for many generations. They almost lost the Saturn V due to corrosion, there was a lesson in there somewhere.

[p51]

That 'shuttle' isn't a real one, but a very well-done mockup that used to be at Kennedy Space Center's visitor center (it was moved once they got the flown orbiter, Atlantis). I got inside it in 2009 the last time I was there and was impressed. The cockpit area is compressed a bit and the cargo bay area changed to allow people inside, but overall they did a great job. It was called, "Explorer" at KSC but I've read that the name might be changed. I saw this orbiter mockup again at Houston in September, it's sitting in the spot depicted in the artist rendering right now (and strongly lashed down against potentital hurricanes). I agree that the climate isn't the best for an outdoor exhibit but this is one heck of a consolation prize for Houston not getting a space-flown orbiter. But like the Saturn V, I agree that someday there'll have to be a total restoration to counter the ravages of an outdoor display. Such a shame they can't get it indoors, but such a massive building would be needed, I don't think it's realistic to expect one to be built anytime soon (if ever).
More info here: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-050213b.html

[Pogo]

Yeah, the minds that sent the Shuttle into space cannot comprehend.............. They almost lost the Saturn V due to corrosion, there was a lesson in there somewhere.

Bingo.

[RickH]

That 'shuttle' isn't a real one

We are aware of this. We watched them unload it off of the barge then tow it down Nasa Rd to its current location. You'll notice that I referenced the FUTTLE ( ie:Fake Shuttle ) They are raising upwards of 5 million to build the gantry walkway, you don't think they could build a basic metal building for that ? I just got pricing for a finished out 200X250x32 ft hangar with a huge concrete ramp for 4.5-5 million, and they don't need most of what we priced out.

[T Ricketts]

I was not happy when Houston didn't get one of the Shuttles, but in retrospect I'm glad we got the 'Futtle" instead. Combine that with the 747 transport and you have something that I would pay to visit. When the exhibit opens I will be there. I drive by the Mock Up every day heading to work and if it was a 'Real' Shuttle I would leave it at that. But being able to go inside and see what it looks like is a different ballgame. Granted it should be enclosed....But I would be willing to bet that at some point it will be. Much like the Saturn V, the powers that be will demand it. Lets just hope they don't wait as long this time.