Xref: utzoo sci.space:11224 sci.space.shuttle:3046
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle
Path: utzoo!henry
From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer)
Subject: more 747 drop tests?
Message-ID: <1989May9.014323.13717@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: U of Toronto Zoology
References: <1989May8.033250.18780@utzoo.uucp> <15988@bellcore.bellcore.com>
Date: Tue, 9 May 89 01:43:23 GMT

In article <15988@bellcore.bellcore.com> ddavey@grits.UUCP (Doug Davey) writes:
>The 747 that was used for the drop tests is the same one that is
>used to ferry the orbiters from Edwards to KSC.  Currently, there is
>only one such specially modified 747 in existence.  It is therefore
>one of the single points of failure for the entire shuttle system.
>... it would be imprudent to revive the drop tests until
>a second ferry vehicle is available.

One will be as soon as NASA gets around to it.  The aircraft has already
been bought and is in storage (!) awaiting the modifications.  Getting it
going wouldn't be a problem if there was a specific reason.  Dusting
off Enterprise and making it flight-ready, with up-to-date landing gear
and brakes, would probably take longer.
-- 
Mars in 1980s:  USSR, 2 tries, |     Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
2 failures; USA, 0 tries.      | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu