Shuttle carrier aircraft piggybacking the space shuttle Endeavor - video

[Altair]

Shuttle carrier aircraft piggybacking the space shuttle Endeavor over Los Angeles. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) are two heavily modified Boeing 747 jetliners that NASA used to to ferry space shuttle orbiters.

Features that distinguish the two SCAs from standard 747 jetliners are:

• Three struts with associated interior structural strengthening protrude from the top of the fuselage (two aft, one forward) on which the orbiter is attached.
• Two additional vertical stabilizers, one on each end of the standard horizontal stabilizer, to enhance directional stability.
• Removal of all interior furnishings and equipment aft of the forward No. 1 doors.
• Instrumentation used by SCA flight crews and engineers to monitor orbiter electrical loads during the ferry flights and also during pre- and post-ferry flight operations.

More:

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstro...-013-DFRC.html


Previously:

Space shuttle thermal tile - GIF and video
747 turned into flying observatory - GIF and photos
Operation Credible Sport: C-130s modified with rockets for hostage rescue

[ranald]

Dare I say it: what the heck. Looks like flying united!
Thanks for posting, Altair.

[Toolmaker51]

Not just Thank You, but a view only a handful were privileged to witness. Even if it flew right over their heads.
It's just beautiful; from concept, in design, and execution.
And likely will never happen again.

[Frank S]

The first shuttle to ever fly was also the first shuttle to fly piggy back on the modified 747. and I believe the only shuttle to be released from the 747 while in flight was the Enterprise. OV-101 I know it flew free flight after being released at least 3 times

[PJs]

Beautiful and majestic like dual dragonflies! Gorgeous landing (5 of 5)!! I'm very impressed though with FA-18 pilot for not falling out of the sky....stall speed is around 135.

[Toolmaker51]

Beautiful and majestic like dual dragonflies! Gorgeous landing (5 of 5)!! I'm very impressed though with FA-18 pilot for not falling out of the sky....stall speed is around 135.

A 135 knot or mph stall is one thing; but video shows the FA-18 flying along naturally as a biplane or Piper Cub. I found that relaxing to watch, good as spellbound. And they flew by all kinds of 'my' Los Angeles landmarks. Didn't see Marv outside, but I'd bet he was!
I also tried to wrap my head on the engineering of carrying a shuttle; wing incidence, desired lift, CG, max payload, structural loads of 747 airframe, load/unload, sure a lot of considerations. What got me started was seeing the tail cowling on the shuttle.
What a time it was; seemed like very avionic, airframe, and material supplier you ran in to, had a piece of the shuttle contract and/ or related projects. Sometime, think I'll note all the significant work I was aware of ~1950's on.

[Frank S]

What got me started was seeing the tail cowling on the shuttle.

What you are seeing there is the Shuttle enterprise OV-101 test vehicle the conical cowling was installed to reduce drag on the 747 for the first 3 flights there was no engine only a mock up for size and weight.
The Enterprise was slated to be refitted to become the 2nd of the shuttle fleet after Columbia. Changes or upgrades in design made it more economical to bring the Challenger online. After the Challenger disaster the Enterprise was once again looked at as a possible replacement but I think it was Endeavor that was built out of spare parts instead.
https://www.space.com/17983-space-sh...nterprise.html
https://www.space.com/15454-space-sh...nterprise.html
Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise (OV-101)