Old Stuff

Rubecula

Some years ago back in the 1980's there was a thing proposed by British space engineers called HOTOL. A space plane that although different and possibly more advanced than the shuttle was thought of in hushed circles as a viable rival to the American craft. It was an idea that was shelved for a variety of reasons. However the Americans thought it a good idea and gave it a good looking at for the technology of it's engines alone. Nothing really happened after that.

However I found this link dating back to 2009. Probably all pie in the sky but I enjoyed the memories.

http://gizmodo.com/5164573/hotol-the-reusable-spaceship-coming-back-from-the-80s

Supermug

If you were asked in a quizz How many space shuttles has there been. Which would be the correct answer 5,6 or 7 ???

Rubecula

Supermug wrote: »

If you were asked in a quizz How many space shuttles has there been. Which would be the correct answer 5,6 or 7 ???

The ones I can remember are:

Atlantis, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Enterprise. But there may be one that escapes me.

There was also the original one on the back of a Jumbo that didn't fly into space.

Edit: I forgot Endeavor

Beeker

Rubecula wrote: »

The ones I can remember are:

Atlantis, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Enterprise. But there may be one that escapes me.

There was also the original one on the back of a Jumbo that didn't fly into space.

Edit: I forgot Endeavor

In total 6 Space Shuttle orbiters were launched into space. 5 American and 1 Soviet, but thats not the whole story...............:pac:

Shuttles that flew in Space.
Columbia
Challenger
Discovery
Atlantis
Endeavour
Buran {USSR}

Shuttles that flew only in Earths atmosphere as test vehicle
Enterprise {Flew off back of 747}

Shuttle Replicas
Explorer at KSC
America at Gurnee, Illinois.
One outside the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Florida

and a number of mid-deck and flight deck mockups at different NASA centers.

So the answer is not straight forward:)

Rubecula

Thanks Beeker. I bow to the expert on this one.

Oh and don't forget the British atempt at a space shuttle too.... the Reliant Robin from Top Gear........ On second thoughts maybe you better had forget that one...:pac:

AugustusMinimus

Beeker wrote: »

In total 6 Space Shuttle orbiters were launched into space. 5 American and 1 Soviet, but thats not the whole story...............:pac:

Shuttles that flew in Space.
Columbia
Challenger
Discovery
Atlantis
Endeavour
Buran {USSR}

Shuttles that flew only in Earths atmosphere as test vehicle
Enterprise {Flew off back of 747}

Shuttle Replicas
Explorer at KSC
America at Gurnee, Illinois.
One outside the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Florida

and a number of mid-deck and flight deck mockups at different NASA centers.

So the answer is not straight forward:)

You might as well throw in Ptichka which is being stored in a hangar at Baiknour and is 97% complete.

Have to wonder. Do NPO still have the facilities in place to build a new Energia rocket ?

Beeker

Rubecula wrote: »

Thanks Beeker. I bow to the expert on this one.

Far from an expert just a complete nerd when it comes to the Shuttle:D

Rubecula wrote: »

Oh and don't forget the British atempt at a space shuttle too.... the Reliant Robin from Top Gear........ On second thoughts maybe you better had forget that one...:pac:

And indeed how could I forget the Top Gear one:eek: That was fantastic, what a laugh:D