Space Shuttle Enterprise

The Space Shuttle Enterprise (OV-101) is a spacecraft used by NASA for testing of the space shuttles. Enterprise was built without engines and without the heat protection system needed for it to travel into space and return to the atmosphere. Enterprise began being built in June 4, 1974, and was completed on September 17, 1976. Enterprise was used for flight tests in 1977. Scientists wanted to test how the shuttle could be transported on top of a Boeing 747. They also did three test manned test flights with the shuttle still joined to the Boeing. When these test were finished they did another five tests with the shuttle flying without engines like a glider. The pilots practiced landing the shuttle at the Edwards Airforce Base. The pilots were astronaut Gordon Fullerton, Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, Joe Engle and Dick Truly. After the test flights, the Enterprise was used for vibration tests at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. After all the tests were finished, some parts of the Enterprise were used in the building of the other shuttles.

The Enterprise was going to be named the "Constitution", but many people wrote to the President and asked for it to be named after the space craft on the TV show Star Trek. Enterprise can be seen today by visitors to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington, D.C.

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Aaron Batchelder
18 August 2015
Cool exhibit if you haven't seen a shuttle yet. You can't go inside of it unfortunately. You do get to see how amazing they are though along with the Soyuz capsule.
Amanda Halloren
14 March 2015
Active duty military get in for free which is nice bonus for a place we wanted to visit anyway. You could easily spend 4-5 hours there with the Growler, the various aircraft, and Enterprise NASA.
Intrepid Museum
7 July 2015
Did you know you can take a Guided Tour of the Space Shuttle Pavilion Thursdays before our Summer Movie Series? Tours cost $20 each and start at 6pm, so you can finish and go watch the movie!
Brittney Potter
26 November 2018
Pretty neat as you get to see The intrepid, space shuttle, planes (including concord), & submarine. Submarine is not included you have to pay extra. worth the money. Expect to be there for a few hours
Asada Yuuki
15 September 2015
It's a beautifully designed exhibition for the whole family. A great learning experience for all ages.
Volponi Leal, Rodrigo
18 July 2015
Tem a Enterprise. Tem uma Soyuz que voltou do espaço. Tem uma exposição sobre o Hubble. E tem visita guiada, que coloca tudo no contexto. Muito bom!
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