Boeing 747 Space Shuttle Transporter

[Jim]

During the late 70s the first Space Shuttle did glide tests after being
launched from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Transporter.

Does anybody know how the Shuttle was released from the back of the 747.
Did the 747 have to (unbelievably!) roll inverted for the release, or did it
pitch down to an extreme attitude or was there some other method?

At what altitude was the glide tests commenced?

cheers

Gordon

[Blueskies]

"Jim" > wrote in message ...
> During the late 70s the first Space Shuttle did glide tests after being
> launched from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Transporter.
>
> Does anybody know how the Shuttle was released from the back of the 747.
> Did the 747 have to (unbelievably!) roll inverted for the release, or did it
> pitch down to an extreme attitude or was there some other method?
>
> At what altitude was the glide tests commenced?
>
> cheers
>
> Gordon
>
>

They did a pitch over maneuver at 40,000' plus. Basically low G push over, fire off the explosive bolts to release, 747
turn left while the shuttle went straight...

[Mike Weller]

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:55:47 GMT, "Jim" >
wrote:

>During the late 70s the first Space Shuttle did glide tests after being
>launched from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Transporter.
>
>Does anybody know how the Shuttle was released from the back of the 747.
>Did the 747 have to (unbelievably!) roll inverted for the release, or did it
>pitch down to an extreme attitude or was there some other method?
>
>At what altitude was the glide tests commenced?
>
>cheers
>
>Gordon
>

The shuttle on top, at the positive angle of attack it was mounted,
contributed a significant amount of lift to the combined
747-Enterprise configuration.

The shuttle essentially "dropped" the 747. In other words, the 747
was flying along normally and when the shuttle released it, it went
down because of the loss of lift and then made a turn away from the
shuttle.

And, again, just from memory, the altitude was much lower than 40,000
feet. More like the upper 20s or very low 30s.

Mike Weller

[Tim Epstein]

This should answer your question nicely:

http://www1.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/ALT/Medium/ECN-8923.jpg

Tim



"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> During the late 70s the first Space Shuttle did glide tests after being
> launched from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Transporter.
>
> Does anybody know how the Shuttle was released from the back of the 747.
> Did the 747 have to (unbelievably!) roll inverted for the release, or did
> it
> pitch down to an extreme attitude or was there some other method?
>
> At what altitude was the glide tests commenced?
>
> cheers
>
> Gordon
>
>

[Blueskies]

" Blueskies" > wrote in message m...
>
> "Jim" > wrote in message ...
>> During the late 70s the first Space Shuttle did glide tests after being
>> launched from the Boeing 747 Shuttle Transporter.
>>
>> Does anybody know how the Shuttle was released from the back of the 747.
>> Did the 747 have to (unbelievably!) roll inverted for the release, or did it
>> pitch down to an extreme attitude or was there some other method?
>>
>> At what altitude was the glide tests commenced?
>>
>> cheers
>>
>> Gordon
>>
>>
>
> They did a pitch over maneuver at 40,000' plus. Basically low G push over, fire off the explosive bolts to release,
> 747 turn left while the shuttle went straight...
>

Correction...
Not 40,000', but between 19,000 and 24,700...
from http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-015-DFRC.html

"The five free flights, which began Aug. 12, 1977, and continued through Oct. 26, 1977, verified the orbiter's approach
and landing capabilities and demonstrated its subsonic airworthiness. During each of the free flights, the Enterprise
was released at an altitude of between 19,000 and 24,700 feet from the attach struts of the SCA and was flown,
powerless, to a landing. Validated were not only the approach and landing capabilities of the vehicle, but also the
automatic flight control and navigation systems - prerequisites for orbital flights."

[John Gaquin]

" Blueskies" > wrote in message news:he%
>
> Correction...
> Not 40,000', but between 19,000 and 24,700...

Yes, I was just about to comment when you clarified. Those early 747s only
went to the low to mid 40s when light in normal ops..... don't think it
could be managed with the piggy-back.

[Skywise]

" Blueskies" > wrote in
:

<Snipola>
> the Enterprise was released at an altitude of between 19,000
> and 24,700 feet from the attach struts of the SCA and was flown,
> powerless, to a landing.

"powerless"? As opposed to what? A powered landing?

I know they probably mean as a glider, powerless as in no
engines. But why make that distinction when it's the ONLY
way the Shuttle comes in for a landing? Like they're gonna
light the OMS engines and declare a go-around?

Brian
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