Space Shuttle Enterprise 50 Years

Above, Enterprise in its maintenance hangar at Edwards Air Force Base in 1977. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that the start of construction of the space shuttle test vehicle Enterprise began 50 years ago this month. 

I got to see it and stand under it in its maintenance hangar at Edwards Air Force Base in 1977.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I in Enterprise's maintenance hangar.

From NASA's Facebook page:

On June 4, 1974—50 years ago today—construction began on NASA's first space shuttle. Officially designated OV-101, Enterprise received its more common name after a dedicated write-in campaign by fans of the original Star Trek TV series. When Enterprise made its public debut in California on Sept. 17, 1976, several cast members from the show, as well as creator Gene Roddenberry, were on hand to attend.

Enterprise made its first independent flight on Aug. 12, 1977, released from atop a Boeing 747 to test the shuttle's approach and landing capabilities. Built to perform test flights in the atmosphere, Enterprise never reached orbit but paved the way for NASA's next generation of spacecraft. Space shuttle Columbia became the first shuttle to fly into space on April 12, 1981. 

"Enterprise" Rollout 45 Years Ago

The following was posted yesterday on Facebook:

It is hard to believe that the rollout took place 45 years ago.

I was able to see the Enterprise up close in July 1977 when I visited Mitch Geriminsky at Edwards Air Force Base. He was stationed at Edwards and had clearance to different areas on the base. We went to the hangar where the Enterprise was kept and the photo below was taken during our visit.

The shuttle prototype got its Enterprise name from a petition drive of Star Trek fans. They actually should have waited to have an actual space shuttle be named Enterprise instead.

Today In History: Shuttle "Enterprise" Takes First Free Flight In 1977

Above, Armand with Mitchell Geriminsky pose in front of "Enterprise" in 1977.

Source: Intrepid Museum

Today in history, the first free flight of space shuttle test vehicle Enterprise was flown in 1977 at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

Above, the NASA modified Boeing 747 used to carry "Enterprise" aloft. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Enterprise" Photos Submitted To Intrepid Museum

The Intrepid Museum tweeted a request for photographs to be put on display at the museum and at their website of the space shuttle test vehicle Enterprise.  Their request included any photos from 1977 to 2012.

I submitted these photos of the Enterprise in 1977 in its NASA hangar at Edwards Air Force Base:

Above, yours truly with the Enterprise in the background.

Above, yours truly and Mitch Geriminsky with the Enterprise.

To view the Intrepid Museum's photo gallery, go here.

Thank You, Space Shuttle!

Above, Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls to a stop at Kennedy Space Center.
From the Washington Post:

The 135th and final flight of America's space shuttle fleet landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center early Thursday -- ending the three-decade lifetime of a technologically remarkable and versatile spacecraft the likes of which the world is unlikely to see for a very long time. The shuttle Atlantis and its four crew members touched down at 5:56 a.m. after a 13-day mission to the International Space Station.

I am glad I remembered to watch the landing via NASA's streaming live video.

Above, yours truly with Space Shuttle test vehicle Enterprise in 1977.

Thank you, Space Shuttle! Now what do we do for a space program?

The Beginning of the Space Shuttle Program

Above, Armand with the shuttle prototype "Enterprise."

The winding down of the U.S. Space Shuttle program caused me to look back at the beginnings of the program back in the 1970s.

I've always been a fan of the U.S. Space Program, beginning with Project Mercury. It has been my contention that the space program is the only worthwhile U.S. government program.

In the beginning, the shuttle program started out at the NASA's Dryden test center at Edwards Air Force Base out in the Mojave Desert.

In 1977, a friend of mine, Mitch Geriminsky was in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Edwards. Talk about being at the right place and at the right time! One weekend, I paid a visit and Mitch took me over to the space shuttle facilities at Edwards.

Luckily for me, I had my camera with me when we visited the shuttle facilities. The photographs are in black & white as I had a black & white darkroom at home where I developed and printed photographs.

First off, we viewed the modified Boeing 747 used to piggy-back the shuttle prototype, Enterprise.

Above, the modified Boeing 747. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Enterprise was so-named as fans of Star Trek petitioned NASA to name it after the television show's starship. Actually, they should have waited a bit so that a space-worthy shuttle would carry the Enterprise name. The prototype was never intended for space flights and it was just used for gliding tests. The 747 would carry it aloft and release it and it would glide for landings on Rogers Dry Lake.

Above, shuttle prototype "Enterprise." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first space-worthy shuttle, Columbia, was under construction. Its maiden flight was in 1981.

After viewing the 747, we went over to the main shuttle hangar and went inside. There, in the hangar, was Enterprise.

Above, Mitch and Armand with "Enterprise."

It was fascinating to see up close the Enterprise and the 747. I was able to attend two shuttle landings when the shuttles became operational: Columbia in July 1982 and Endeavour in May 1992.

Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the flying brick Enterprise...