Mounting that 747

[wmdragon]

does anybody have pictures or links to pictures of the shuttle being mounted on the 747? Id like to see that process and the machinery involved. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#993366"><em>The only laws of matter are those which our minds must fabricate, and the only laws of mind are fabricated for it by matter.</em> <br /> --- James Clerk Maxwell</font></p> </div>

 

[wmdragon]

ah cool thanks. I obviously lacked the search terms. "747 shuttle" were not too helpful. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#993366"><em>The only laws of matter are those which our minds must fabricate, and the only laws of mind are fabricated for it by matter.</em> <br /> --- James Clerk Maxwell</font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

Here are the photos taken this morning and in the past few days:<br /><br />http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/STS-114/index.html<br /><br />Click on "contact sheet" for thumbnails to make is easier. It show the Mate-Demate device lifting Discovery onto the 747. They have an MDM at KSC, Edwards and at White Sands, NM. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[erauskydiver]

Is the MPLM still in the payload bay, or did that catch a separate ride?

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Did I hear right when someone just told me the SCA burns one gallon of fuel every time it travels the distance of itself in flight!! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Asked and answered the other day. SG reports that the payload bay is still full. Apparently it can't be opened without the specialist equipment at KSC which supports much of the weight of the doors.<br /><br />I've another question related to the SCA/Orbiter stack. With the benefit of the SCA's engines, is there enough air flow over the the Orbiter wings to provide some lift? If yes, what does that take the effective weight of the Orbiter down to? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[spacefire]

what's an MPLM and what is the SCA?<br /><br /><br />I think SCA stands for Shuttle Carrier Aircraft? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

MPLM: Multi-Purpose Logistics Module<br /><br />SCA: Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (as you knew) <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Dear Lord! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Great info.

 

[spacefire]

I'd be interested in watching a video of the Orbiter being mounted on the SCA. Where could I find one, please? <br /><br /><br /><br />edit:<br />nm, the pics are good enough. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>

 

[shuttle_rtf]

Better than I can manage as I'm drunk as a skunk. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" />

 

[norm103]

A litter of topic but what other aircraft's go with the SCA on the flight over to the cape?

 

[SpaceKiwi]

They are showing some highlights of the flight on NASA TV now. Mentioned has been a KC-135 which flies 100 miles ahead of the SCA as weather recon for the stack. They also have at least one F-15 flying with the SCA, and I thought I saw a T-38 in some of the camera shots as well. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Yeah, I would say so. The commentary seemed to suggest that NASA only has one F-15 which I found interesting in itself, and also because they didn't have identical aircraft for the wingmen.<br /><br />Although it's hard to imagine, I wonder if the F-15 is there for 'threat supression' and is actually armed. I guess they would just invite the USAF along for the ride if they were concerned about such a scenario.<br /><br />Also rather depressing to note that NASA's Airforce is actually better equipped than New Zealand's. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

Nice pic, thanks news.<br /><br />Yeah, I seem to vaguely remember they were using the F-15 to test foam characteristics as part of the RTF effort. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>