" 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/n...-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."