Space Shuttle Inspiration

In today's article we will talk about Space Shuttle Inspiration, a topic that has gained great relevance in recent times. From its origins to its impact on today's society, Space Shuttle Inspiration has been the object of study and interest for numerous experts in different fields. Throughout history, Space Shuttle Inspiration has experienced various changes and transformations that have marked its evolution and its influence on people's lives. Therefore, it is important to stop and analyze in detail what Space Shuttle Inspiration is, what its importance is and how it has affected different areas of daily life. Through this article, we will delve into the exciting world of Space Shuttle Inspiration to better understand its meaning and its impact on today's society.

Not to be confused with the Space Shuttle mockup at the Shuttle Landing Facility also named Inspiration[1].

33°55′12.59″N 118°7′20.03″W / 33.9201639°N 118.1222306°W / 33.9201639; -118.1222306

Inspiration
Country United States
Contract awardNorth American Rockwell
StatusIn storage

Space Shuttle Inspiration is a full-scale Space Shuttle orbiter mockup built in 1972 by North American Rockwell. The plastic and wood model was made to promote the company's bid to construct the Space Shuttle fleet.

History

The Space Shuttle Orbiter mockup was constructed by North American Rockwell in 1972. It was shown to NASA and Congress to win approval for the Space Shuttle program. The mockup is approximately the same size and shape as an actual Orbiter. It was also used to design hydraulics and cable harnesses for production shuttle Orbiters and to test-fit flight hardware.[2]

The mockup was abandoned in place by NASA, so the owners of the property placed it on temporary display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, California, in July 2012.[3][4]

Refurbishment and naming

After sitting in storage for many years, in 2012, the owners decided to refurbish Inspiration. A 2009 grant proposal estimated the cost of refurbishment and housing at $1,880,000, with about half going to restoration efforts and half to construction of a permanent facility.[3]

"Some deterioration processes are already underway. The outer skin of the shuttle, made of plywood on a wooden frame, is buckling slightly and showing signs of internal delamination. Paper components representing insulation or other lining of the sub-deck are disintegrating. Adhesive mounts and backing for a range of fasteners have become yellowed and embrittled. Delicate plastic components also appear to be degrading slightly. Clear plastic, prismatic ceiling panels have fine crazing cracks, and are starting to become detached at their fasteners."[3][5]

Originally unnamed, it was named Inspiration on September 24, 2012.[6][7]

Display and storage

Inspiration was housed in a tent outside the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center in Downey, California.[7] Despite receiving a $3 million federal loan in May 2013 to build a community center to house the mockup, the Downey City Council voted to place Inspiration into storage until an executive director was hired to oversee the project.[8][9] On March 4 and 5, 2014, the mockup was disassembled and moved to the city's maintenance yard.[10][8]

On October 17, 2024, the Columbia Memorial Space Center moved the pieces from the yard 0.3 miles to a temporary storage space nearby for reassembly. The Center plans to raise $50 million to build a 29,000-square foot exhibition space for Inspiration, complete by 2026.[11][12][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (April 29, 2016). "Replica on the runway: Mock orbiter lands on real space shuttle strip". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Lost LA season 7, episode 1: Space Shuttle". PBS. January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Goss, Heather (June 14, 2012). "Downey Will Display Shuttle Mock-Up". Air & Space/Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  4. ^ Hennigan, W. J. (June 15, 2012). "Meet 'the original shuttle'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  5. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (June 25, 2012). "Original 1972 space shuttle mockup going on display". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  6. ^ "Council chooses 'Inspiration' as name for space shuttle mock-up". DowneyBeat.com. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Pearlman, Robert Z. (July 12, 2012). "Original 1972 space shuttle mockup moved outdoors for Downey, CA display". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Yee, Greg (September 1, 2017) . "Downey space shuttle mock-up's fate rests with yet-to-be-hired executive director". Press-Telegram. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  9. ^ Brown, Christian (December 19, 2013). "Downey's space shuttle mock-up going back in storage". The Downey Patriot. Vol. 12, no. 36. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  10. ^ Brown, Christian (March 6, 2014). "Downey's space shuttle goes back in storage". The Downey Patriot. Vol. 12, no. 47. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  11. ^ "Original space shuttle mock-up moves through Downey for restoration". The Downey Patriot. October 18, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  12. ^ Campa, Andrew J. (October 17, 2024). "'This is where it all happened.' Downey's space shuttle prototype begins move to future home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2025.