Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!umich!samsung!sdd.hp.com!ucsd!ames!sparkyfs!ads.com!IDA.ORG!pbs!pstinson From: pstinson@pbs.uucp Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: Dumb question #652 Message-ID: <8947.266a4850@pbs.uucp> Date: 4 Jun 90 15:38:56 GMT References: <376.26477BB6@ofa123.FIDONET.ORG> <24785@netnews.upenn.edu> <3286@rodan.acs.syr.edu> Organization: PBS:Public Broadcasting Service, Alexandria, VA Lines: 21 In article , shafer@skipper.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer) write > (deleted) > The SCA/Shuttle can be recovered (in multiple legs) from everywhere > except Hawaii. > > I was the flying qualities engineer on the in-flight refuelling > feasibility study a few years ago. We ran into structural problems > (fatigue cracking) that may have been caused or exacerbated by the > flow fields in refuelling and, since there was only one SCA, put the > effort on hold. When we get the new SCA and can document the status > of the verticals, maybe we'll do it again. > (deleted) > I went down to the runway for an SCA/Shuttle takeoff once and it > wasn't exactly zooming off into the wild blue yonder. It's pretty > heavy and, being a older 747, a little lacking in thrust compared > to the later models. > -- When the new SCA is put into action, will this be the second time in the history of shuttle operations that the SCA has been replaced? I believe the current SCA is an old Pan AM 747, but wasn't the original SCA a former American Airlines plane? Whatever happened to it?