Today an era ends. One that began decades ago. That of a reusable space vehicle. Today, Discovery lands at Washington Dulles International Airport and will head for the museum.
Alas, I am in Chicago. Why do I wish I could be there? Because I was there in February 1977, the beginning, when the first space shuttle, Enterprise, left the hanger on a truck and headed to Edwards Airforce Base in Antelope Valley California to be paired to the 747 in the picture for initial flight testing (Retired American 747, modified with winglets on the tail and of course the structure to hold the shuttle). Enterprise never went into space but filled the role of test aircraft very well. You will see on the back of Discovery a special cover over the engines. This cover enhances the aerodynamics and makes it easier and safer to fly on the 747).
2 comments:
I guess we are getting old.
I think it's really cool that you witnessed the beginning
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