04-24-2019, 05:23 PM
(04-20-2019, 01:40 PM)KevinT Wrote:(04-18-2019, 01:07 AM)jeffster Wrote: 501 is starting to sound a lot like the Space Shuttle Enterprise. First one made and tested, but never actually used. Though I doubt that would be the case, being that we need 2 spares.
Actually, Enterprise was used extensively, just not in space. Per Wikipedia:
Quote:Rolled out on September 17, 1976, it was built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program to perform atmospheric test flights after being launched from a modified Boeing 747. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of spaceflight.
501 is a fully functional vehicle, we just took it early to perform fit tests of the OMSF and then it went back for completion. Why it hasn't been out since it returned is anybody's guess.
Yeah I meant that the Enterprise was never used in the sense of actual space travel...