how to move a shuttle

[LordyGeordie]

Now that the space shuttle Discovery has landed safely back in California how do NASA propose to get it back to Florida.

Assuming NASA solves its problems and space shuttle flights are allowed again it will need to get back to cape canaveral on the other side of the country. had it landed where it was originally planned to, it would already be there.

the shuttle can't take off and land like a normal plane (i think) and is surely too big for the road so it's going to take some engineering feat to get it back to florida.

any ideas how it's achieved?

[Dom Tuk]

The answer is quite unbelievable. NASA have a specially modified Boeing 747. The shuttle is fixed on top of the 747 and the shuttle is flown piggy back to Florida. I have seen pictures of the flight.

[delboy3]

Watch the beginning of the James Bond film 'Moonraker' - you'll see what Dom Tuk is referring to.

[Octavius]

Details here:

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/SpaceShuttle/SpaceShuttle.htm#Transporting%20the%20Shuttle

[Octavius]

and here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft

[luckystrike]

I was wondering exactly the same thing, but it was reported on the news last night that the shuttle is to be completly dismantled and transported to Florida for inspection and research.

[landie]

Would you also believe that the early shuttle tests were made after the craft was taken into the sky on the back of a 747. The transporter may be a leftover from that period.

[LordyGeordie]

blo0dy hell. thanks for your answers chaps. that 747 just isn't right, some things just weren't made to fly!