{"id":644685,"date":"2024-04-12T14:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T18:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=644685"},"modified":"2024-04-12T14:36:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T18:36:02","slug":"45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Enterprise Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Enterprise, the first space shuttle orbiter that NASA built, arrived at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on April 10, 1979. Although not space worthy, as a pathfinder Enterprise carried out tasks critical to ensuring the success of the space shuttle program. During its four-month stay at KSC, Enterprise validated procedures for the assembly of the space shuttle stack and interfaces at the launch pad. The tests proved valuable in preparing the shuttle for its first orbital mission. Earlier, Enterprise proved the flight worthiness of the shuttle during atmospheric tests and certified the vehicle\u2019s structure to handle launch loads. Enterprise played small supporting roles in the Challenger and Columbia accident investigations. After a lengthy stay in storage, a fully restored Enterprise went on public display, first near Washington, D.C., and then in New York where it currently resides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644728\" height=\"250\" width=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-1-nixon-and-fletcher-with-shuttle-model-1972.jpg\" alt=\"NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, presents President Richard M. Nixon with a model of the space shuttle in January 1972\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644730\" height=\"250\" width=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-2-enterprise-under-construction-palmdale-jul-13-1976-s76-26870.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise under construction in 1976\"><br><em>Left: NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, presents President Richard M. Nixon with a model  of the space shuttle in January 1972. Right: Enterprise under construction in 1976.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enterprise\u2019s story began on Jan. 5, 1972, when President Richard M. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-president-nixon-directs-nasa-to-build-the-space-shuttle\/\">Nixon directed NASA<\/a> to build the reusable space shuttle, formally called the Space Transportation System (STS), stating that \u201cit would revolutionize transportation into near space.\u201d NASA Administrator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/50-years-ago-james-fletcher-sworn-in-as-nasa-administrator\/\">James C. Fletcher<\/a> hailed the President\u2019s decision as \u201can historic step in the nation\u2019s space program,\u201d adding that it would change what humans can accomplish in space. After Congress authorized the funds, on July 26 NASA awarded the contract to the North American Rockwell Corporation of Downey, California, to begin construction of the first vehicles. Manufacture of the first components of Orbital Vehicle-101 (OV-101) at Rockwell\u2019s Downey plant began on June 4, 1974. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644731\" height=\"269\" width=\"309\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg\" alt=\"NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, poses with several cast members and creator of the TV series \u201cStar Trek\u201d at Enterprise\u2019s rollout\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=300,261 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=768,668 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=1024,891 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=1536,1336 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=2048,1782 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=400,348 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=600,522 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=900,783 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=1200,1044 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-3-enterprise-rollout-at-palmdale-w-star-trek-crew-sep-17-1976.jpg?resize=2000,1740 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 309px) 100vw, 309px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644733\" height=\"269\" width=\"336\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg\" alt=\"Astronauts C. Gordon Fullerton, left, Fred W. Haise, Joe H. Engle, and Richard H. Truly pose in front of Enterprise on the day of its rollout\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg 4096w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=1024,819 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=1536,1229 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=2048,1638 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=600,480 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=900,720 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=1200,960 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-4-enterprise-at-palmdale-w-alt-crews-sep-17-1976-s76-29562.jpg?resize=2000,1600 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><br><em>Left: NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, left, poses with several cast members and creator of the TV series \u201cStar Trek\u201d at Enterprise\u2019s rollout. Right: Astronauts C. Gordon Fullerton, left, Fred W. Haise, Joe H. Engle, and Richard H. Truly pose in front of Enterprise on the day of its rollout.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA originally chose the name Constitution for OV-101, the first space shuttle vehicle designed not to fly in space but for ground and atmospheric tests. However, a determined write-in campaign by fans of the science fiction TV series \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-star-trek-debuts-begins-an-enduring-relationship-with-nasa\/\">Star Trek<\/a>\u201d convinced NASA to rename this first vehicle Enterprise, after the fictional starship made famous by the show. When the orbiter made its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-makes-its-public-debut\/\">public rollout<\/a> at Rockwell\u2019s Palmdale, California, facility, on Sept. 17, 1976, it bore the name Enterprise. Several \u201cStar Trek\u201d cast members as well as the show\u2019s creator attended the event, accompanied by NASA Administrator Fletcher and the four astronauts assigned to conduct the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) with Enterprise\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-fred-haise\/\">Fred W. Haise<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/fullerton_charles.pdf?emrc=6636f764d5718\">C. Gordon Fullerton<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/engle_joe.pdf?emrc=6636f764d58bd\">Joe H. Engle<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/former-astronaut-richard-truly\/\">Richard H. Truly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644748\" height=\"173\" width=\"261\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg\" alt=\"Workers tow space shuttle Enterprise through the streets of Lancaster, California, on the way to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=768,506 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=1024,675 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=400,264 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=600,395 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-5-enterprise-palmdale-to-edwards-rollover-jan-31-1977.jpg?resize=900,593 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644749\" height=\"173\" width=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise moments after release from the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during the first Approach and Landing Test free flight\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg 3961w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=300,196 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=768,501 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=1024,668 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=1536,1002 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=2048,1336 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=400,261 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=600,391 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=900,587 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=1200,783 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-6-enterprise-alt-1-aug-12-1977-s77-27512.jpg?resize=2000,1305 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 265px) 100vw, 265px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644750\" height=\"173\" width=\"137\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg\" alt=\"At NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for vibration tests, a shuttle orbiter joins an External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters for the first time\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=238,300 238w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=768,969 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=812,1024 812w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=317,400 317w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=476,600 476w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=714,900 714w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-7-mscf-vibration-tests-oct-4-1978.jpg?resize=951,1200 951w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 137px) 100vw, 137px\" \/><br><em>Left: Workers tow space shuttle Enterprise through the streets of Lancaster, California, on the way to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Middle: Enterprise moments after release from the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during the first Approach and Landing Test free flight. Right: At NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for vibration tests, a shuttle orbiter joins an External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters for the first time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 1977, workers trucked Enterprise 36 miles overland from Palmdale to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, for the ALT program, a series of increasingly complex flights to evaluate the shuttle\u2019s air worthiness. At Dryden, workers placed Enterprise on the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747. The duo began taxi runs in February, followed by the first captive inactive flight later that month. The first captive active flight with a crew aboard the orbiter took place in June, and Enterprise made its first independent flight on Aug. 12 with Haise and Fullerton at the controls. Four additional approach and landing flights completed the ALT program by October. In March 1978, Enterprise began its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-makes-its-first-cross-country-trip\/\">first cross-country trip<\/a>. Riding atop the SCA, Enterprise left Edwards, and after a weekend stopover at Houston\u2019s Ellington AFB, arrived at the Redstone Arsenal\u2019s airfield in Huntsville, Alabama. Workers trucked Enterprise to the adjacent NASA Marshall Space Flight Center where engineers for the first time mated it with an External Tank (ET) and inert Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) in the Dynamic Structural Test Facility. For the next year, engineers conducted a series of vibration tests on the combined vehicle, simulating conditions expected during an actual launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644752\" height=\"211\" width=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg\" alt=\"In January 1977, workers trucked Enterprise 36 miles overland from Palmdale to NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, for the ALT program, a series of increasingly complex flights to evaluate the shuttle\u2019s air worthiness. At Dryden, workers placed Enterprise on the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747. The duo began taxi runs in February, followed by the first captive inactive flight later that month. The first captive active flight with a crew aboard the orbiter took place in June, and Enterprise made its first independent flight on Aug. 12 with Haise and Fullerton at the controls. Four additional approach and landing flights completed the ALT program by October. In March 1978, Enterprise began its first cross-country trip. Riding atop the SCA, Enterprise left Edwards, and after a weekend stopover at Houston\u2019s Ellington AFB, arrived at the Redstone Arsenal\u2019s airfield in Huntsville, Alabama. Workers trucked Enterprise to the adjacent NASA Marshall Space Flight Center where engineers for the first time mated it with an External Tank (ET) and inert Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) in the Dynamic Structural Test Facility. For the next year, engineers conducted a series of vibration tests on the combined vehicle, simulating conditions expected during an actual launch.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg 3754w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=300,296 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=768,759 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=1024,1011 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=1536,1517 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=2048,2023 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=400,395 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=600,593 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=900,889 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=1200,1185 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-8-apr-10-1979-s79-32868.jpg?resize=2000,1975 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644753\" height=\"211\" width=\"213\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) touches down on the runway at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg 3676w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=300,297 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=768,761 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=1024,1015 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=1536,1522 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=2048,2029 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=400,396 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=600,594 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=900,892 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=1200,1189 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-9-apr-10-1979-s79-32863.jpg?resize=2000,1982 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644754\" height=\"211\" width=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg\" alt=\"Workers tow Enterprise into the Vehicle Assembly Building\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg 3708w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=300,297 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=768,759 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=1024,1012 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=1536,1518 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=2048,2024 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=400,395 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=600,593 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=900,890 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=1200,1186 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-10-arrives-vab-apr-25-1979-s79-32854.jpg?resize=2000,1977 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><br><em>Left: Enterprise atop its Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) touches down on the runway at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Middle: Workers remove Enterprise from the SCA in the Mate-Demate Device. Right: Workers tow Enterprise into the Vehicle Assembly Building.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the year-long series of tests at Marshall, on April 10, 1979, NASA ferried Enterprise atop its SCA to KSC. Its sister ship <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-columbia-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/\">Columbia<\/a><em>,<\/em> the first shuttle destined for orbital flight, had arrived there just two weeks earlier. The SCA\/Enterprise vehicle remained on display at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) for five days to give more than 75,000 KSC employees, their families, and the general public a chance to view the new reusable spacecraft. Workers at the SLF then removed the orbiter from the back of the SCA in the Mate-Demate Device, and towed it into High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where on April 25 they completed attaching it to an ET and inert SRBs on a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) repurposed from carrying Saturn rockets. These activities enabled verification of towing, assembly, and checkout procedures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644757\" height=\"221\" width=\"226\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg\" alt=\"At NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building prepare to lift Enterprise\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg 3802w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=300,293 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=768,750 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=1024,1000 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=1536,1500 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=2048,2001 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=400,391 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=600,586 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=900,879 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=1200,1172 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-11-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32845.jpg?resize=2000,1954 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644758\" height=\"221\" width=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise in the vertical position\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg 3678w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=298,300 298w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=768,772 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=1018,1024 1018w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=1527,1536 1527w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=2036,2048 2036w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=398,400 398w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=597,600 597w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=895,900 895w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=1193,1200 1193w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-12-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32849.jpg?resize=1989,2000 1989w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644759\" height=\"221\" width=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg\" alt=\"Workers lower Enterprise for attachment to the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg 3666w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=768,765 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=1024,1021 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=1536,1531 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=2048,2041 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=600,598 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=900,897 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=1200,1196 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-13-stacking-in-vab-apr-1979-s79-32855.jpg?resize=2000,1993 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" \/><br><em>Left: At NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers in the Vehicle Assembly Building prepare to lift Enterprise. Middle: Enterprise in the vertical position. Right: Workers lower Enterprise for attachment to the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-rolls-to-the-pad\/\">Rollout of Enterprise<\/a> from the VAB to Launch Pad 39A occurred on May 1, and again KSC employees and their families came out to view the event. The assembled vehicle including the MLP weighed about 11 million pounds. Technicians drove the stack atop the Crawler Transporter at varying speeds to determine the optimum velocity to minimize vibration stress on the vehicle. The 3.5-mile rollout took about eight hours to complete. Once at the pad, engineers used Enterprise to conduct fit checks and to validate launch pad procedures. During the critical countdown demonstration test, workers filled the ET with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The significant discovery that ice built up at the top of the ET during this process led to the addition of the gaseous oxygen vent hood (familiarly known as the \u201cbeanie cap\u201d) to the launch pad facility and a procedure to retract it just a few minutes before liftoff. This prevented the dangerous buildup of ice during the countdown and ranks as perhaps one of Enterprise\u2019s greatest contributions as a test vehicle during its time at the launch pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644761\" height=\"221\" width=\"221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise exiting the Vehicle Assembly Building\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg 3714w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=768,767 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=1024,1022 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=1536,1534 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=2048,2045 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=1200,1198 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-14-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32192.jpg?resize=2000,1997 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644762\" height=\"221\" width=\"221\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise on its Mobile Launch Platform during the rollout to the pad\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg 3762w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-15-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32194.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644763\" height=\"221\" width=\"189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise at Launch Pad 39A\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg 3231w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=257,300 257w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=768,897 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=877,1024 877w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=1315,1536 1315w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=1753,2048 1753w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=342,400 342w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=514,600 514w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=771,900 771w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=1027,1200 1027w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-16-rollout-may-1-1979-s79-32507.jpg?resize=1712,2000 1712w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 189px) 100vw, 189px\" \/><br><em>Left: Enterprise exiting the Vehicle Assembly Building. Middle: Enterprise on its Mobile Launch Platform during the rollout to the pad. Right: Enterprise at Launch Pad 39A.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On July 23, after three months of fit checks and testing, workers rolled Enterprise back from Launch Pad 39A to High Bay 1 in the VAB. The activities conducted at the pad proved instrumental in paving the way for its sister ship Columbia to make its first launch in 1981. John Bell, who managed the activities at JSC said of the test program, \u201cOverall, it was a very successful venture and well worth it.\u201d Launch Pad 39A Site Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/SSP\/talonejj.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">John J. \u201cTip\u201d Talone<\/a> added, \u201cHaving [Enterprise] out here really saved the program a lot of time in getting things ready for [Columbia].\u201d In the VAB, workers removed Enterprise from its ET on July 25 and towed it to the SLF on Aug. 3 where it awaited the arrival of the SCA. The ferry flight back to Dryden took place between Aug. 10 and 16 making six stops along the way \u2013 Atlanta, St. Louis, Tulsa, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Vandenberg AFB in California. Up to 750,000 people came out to see the orbiter and SCA. Back at Dryden, workers demated Enterprise and on Oct. 30 trucked it back to the Palmdale plant where engineers removed computers and instruments to be refurbished and used in other orbiters then under construction. Previous plans to convert Enterprise into an orbital vehicle proved too costly and NASA abandoned the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644767\" height=\"202\" width=\"132\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg\" alt=\"Astronaut support engineer Richard W. Nygren stands at Launch Pad 39A with astronauts Richard H. Truly, John W. Young, Robert L. Crippen, and Joe H. Engle, the prime and backup crews assigned to the first space shuttle mission\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg 589w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg?resize=196,300 196w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg?resize=261,400 261w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg?resize=391,600 391w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-17-sts-1-crews-at-pad-39a.jpg?resize=587,900 587w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644769\" height=\"202\" width=\"159\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg\" alt=\"Pilot\u2019s eye view of the launch tower looking up through Enterprise\u2019s forward windows\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg 2990w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=237,300 237w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=768,973 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=808,1024 808w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=1212,1536 1212w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=1616,2048 1616w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=316,400 316w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=473,600 473w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=710,900 710w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=947,1200 947w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-18-pad-39a-from-inside-enterprise-jul-1979-s79-34013.jpg?resize=1578,2000 1578w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 159px) 100vw, 159px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644770\" height=\"202\" width=\"156\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise rolls back into the Vehicle Assembly Building\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg?resize=233,300 233w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg?resize=1195,1536 1195w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg?resize=311,400 311w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg?resize=700,900 700w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-19-rollback-jul-23-1979-s79-35236.jpg?resize=1556,2000 1556w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 156px) 100vw, 156px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644771\" height=\"202\" width=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise departs NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg 4450w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-20-departing-ksc-aug-10-1979-s79-36022.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><br><em>Left: Astronaut support engineer Richard W. Nygren stands at Launch Pad 39A with astronauts Richard H. Truly, John W. Young, Robert L. Crippen, and Joe H. Engle, the prime and backup crews assigned to the first space shuttle mission. Middle left: Pilot\u2019s eye view of the launch tower looking up through Enterprise\u2019s forward windows. Middle right: Enterprise rolls back into the Vehicle Assembly Building. Right: Enterprise departs NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Enterprise\u2019s future remained uncertain, NASA returned it to Edwards on Sep. 6, 1981, for long-term storage. On July 4, 1982, NASA used it as a backdrop for President Ronald W. Reagan to welcome home the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/40-years-ago-sts-4-columbias-final-orbital-flight-test\/\">STS-4<\/a> crew. The following year, NASA sent Enterprise on a European tour, departing Dryden on May 13, 1983, with stops in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France for the annual Paris Air Show. Enterprise made a stop in Ottawa, Canada, on its return trip to Dryden, arriving there June 13. Workers once again placed it in temporary storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644773\" height=\"240\" width=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise as the backdrop for President Reagan welcoming home the STS-4 crew at NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center in July 1982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=1024,819 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=1536,1229 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=2048,1638 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=600,480 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=900,720 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=1200,960 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-21-reagan-after-sts-4-jul-4-1982-ec82-18992-full.jpg?resize=2000,1600 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644774\" height=\"240\" width=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft arriving at the Paris Air Show in May 1983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=768,515 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=400,268 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=600,402 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?resize=900,603 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\" \/><br><em>Left: Enterprise as the backdrop for President Reagan welcoming home the STS-4 crew at NASA\u2019s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center in July 1982. Right: Enterprise atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft arriving at the Paris Air Show in May 1983.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For its next public appearance, NASA ferried Enterprise to Mobile, Alabama, from there transported it by barge to New Orleans, and placed it on public display in the U.S. pavilion of the World\u2019s Fair between April and November 1984. After the World\u2019s Fair, NASA ferried Enterprise to Vandenberg AFB in California to conduct fit checks at the Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6), that NASA had planned to use for polar orbiting shuttle missions. NASA used Enterprise to conduct tests at SLC-6 similar to the 1979 tests at KSC\u2019s Launch Complex 39. The tests at Vandenberg completed, NASA ferried Enterprise back to Dryden on May 24, 1985, but this time for only a very short-term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644775\" height=\"230\" width=\"324\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise on display at the World\u2019s Fair in New Orleans in 1984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg 5847w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=300,214 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=768,547 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=1024,729 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=1536,1094 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=2048,1459 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=400,285 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=600,427 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=900,641 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=1200,855 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-23-at-new-orleans-worlds-fair-aug-27-1984-s84-40520.jpg?resize=2000,1424 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 324px) 100vw, 324px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644776\" height=\"230\" width=\"346\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-24-on-slc-6-vandenberg-1985.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise during static pad tests at Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1985\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-24-on-slc-6-vandenberg-1985.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-24-on-slc-6-vandenberg-1985.jpg?resize=300,200 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><br><em>Left: Enterprise on display at the World\u2019s Fair in New Orleans in 1984. Right: Enterprise during static pad tests at Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1985.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Sep. 20, 1985, NASA ferried Enterprise to KSC and placed it on temporary public display near the VAB, next to the Saturn V already displayed there. On Oct. 30, Enterprise \u201csaw\u201d its sister ship Challenger fly into space on the STS-61A mission. After two months on display at KSC, NASA flew Enterprise to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., arriving on Nov. 18. NASA officially retired Enterprise and transferred ownership to the Smithsonian Institution that had plans to build a large aircraft museum annex at the airport. The Smithsonian placed Enterprise in storage in a hangar, awaiting the completion of its new home. That turned into an 18-year wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644780\" height=\"173\" width=\"132\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-25-w-saturn-v-sts-61a-launch-oct-22-1985.jpg\" alt=\"Launch of STS-61A in October 1985, with Enterprise and the Saturn V in the foreground\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-25-w-saturn-v-sts-61a-launch-oct-22-1985.jpg 307w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-25-w-saturn-v-sts-61a-launch-oct-22-1985.jpg?resize=230,300 230w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 132px) 100vw, 132px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644781\" height=\"173\" width=\"283\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise in long-term storage at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg 827w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg?resize=300,183 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg?resize=768,469 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg?resize=400,244 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-26-in-storage-at-dulles-color.jpg?resize=600,366 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644782\" height=\"173\" width=\"253\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise during arresting barrier testing at Dulles International Airport\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg 986w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg?resize=300,204 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg?resize=768,523 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg?resize=400,273 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg?resize=600,409 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-27-orbiter-brake-failure-test-dulles-jun-1987.jpg?resize=900,613 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/><br><em>Left: Launch of STS-61A in October 1985, with Enterprise and the Saturn V in the foreground. Middle: Enterprise in long-term storage at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. Right: Enterprise<\/em> <em>during arresting barrier testing at Dulles International Airport.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But even during that 18-year wait, NASA found practical use for the venerable Enterprise. In 1987, the agency studied how to handle an orbiter returning from space should it suffer a brake failure. To test the efficacy of an arresting barrier, workers slowly winched Enterprise into a landing barrier they had set up at Dulles to see if the vehicle suffered any damage. Later that same year, NASA used Enterprise to test various crew bailout procedures being developed in the wake of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/35-years-ago-remembering-challenger-and-her-crew\/\">Challenger accident<\/a>. In 1990, experimenters used Enterprise\u2019s cockpit windows to test mount an antenna for the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment, with no other orbiters available. Periodically, engineers removed parts from Enterprise to test for materials durability, and also evaluated the structural integrity of the vehicle including its payload bay doors and found it to be in sound condition even after years in storage. In April 2003, in the wake of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/20-years-ago-remembering-columbia-and-her-crew\/\">Columbia accident<\/a>, investigators borrowed Enterprise\u2019s left landing gear door and part of the port wing for foam impact tests. The tests provided solid evidence for the foam strike as the cause of the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644784\" height=\"230\" width=\"307\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg\" alt=\"Space shuttle Enterprise undergoes restoration at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Chantilly, Virginia. Note the missing wing leading edge, donated for the Columbia accident investigation\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-28-during-restoration-2004-nasm-2004-49591h.jpg?resize=900,675 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644785\" height=\"230\" width=\"362\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise on display at the Hazy Center\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg 1234w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=300,191 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=768,489 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=1024,651 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=400,254 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=600,382 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=900,573 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-29-at-hazy-center.jpg?resize=1200,763 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 362px) 100vw, 362px\" \/><br><em>Left: Space shuttle Enterprise undergoes restoration at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Chantilly, Virginia. Note the missing wing leading edge, donated for the Columbia accident investigation. Right: Enterprise on display at the Hazy Center. <strong>Image credits: courtesy NASM.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Nov. 20, 2003, workers towed Enterprise from its storage facility into a newly completed display hangar at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum at Dulles in Chantilly, Virginia. Specialists spent eight months restoring the orbiter and the museum placed it on public display on Dec. 15, 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644786\" height=\"173\" width=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg\" alt=\"Space shuttle orbiters Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg 4135w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=300,135 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=768,346 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=1024,461 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=1536,691 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=2048,922 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=400,180 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=600,270 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=900,405 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=1200,540 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-30-enterprise-and-discovery-hazy-apr-19-2012.jpg?resize=2000,900 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644787\" height=\"173\" width=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg\" alt=\"Actor Leonard Nimoy greets Enterprise at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg 1176w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=768,433 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=1024,577 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=400,226 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-31-enterprise-w-nimoy-giving-vulcan-salute-at-jfk-apr-27-2012.jpg?resize=900,507 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/><br><em>Left: Space shuttle orbiters Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. Right: Actor Leonard Nimoy greets Enterprise at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2011, NASA retired the space shuttle fleet and donated the vehicles to various museums around the country. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City acquired Enterprise, and on Apr. 19, 2012, workers removed the orbiter from its display at the Hazy Center \u2013 replacing it with the orbiter Discovery \u2013 and placed it atop a SCA for the final time. Eight days later, after a short flight from Dulles and a flyaround of New York and several of its famous landmarks, Enterprise landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock in the original \u201cStar Trek\u201d television series, and attended Enterprise\u2019s first rollout in 1976, greeted the orbiter on the runway. Workers lifted the orbiter from the SCA and placed it on a barge. It eventually arrived at the Intrepid Museum on June 3 and went on public display July 19. Enterprise suffered minor damage during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, but workers fully restored it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-644789\" height=\"201\" width=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-32-enterprise-at-intrepid-museum.jpg\" alt=\"Enterprise in the Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-32-enterprise-at-intrepid-museum.jpg 699w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-32-enterprise-at-intrepid-museum.jpg?resize=300,97 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-32-enterprise-at-intrepid-museum.jpg?resize=400,129 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-32-enterprise-at-intrepid-museum.jpg?resize=600,193 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><br><em>Enterprise in the Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. <strong>Image credit: courtesy Intrepid Museum.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read recollections about the Enterprise ALT flight in oral histories that <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/HaiseFW\/haisefw.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Haise<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/FullertonCG\/fullertoncg.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Fullerton<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/oral_histories\/EngleJH\/englejh.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Engle<\/a> conducted with the <a href=\"https:\/\/historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov\/JSCHistoryPortal\/history\/\" rel=\"noopener\">JSC History Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\t\t<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\"><h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/35-years-ago-sts-30-launches-magellan-to-venus\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=300,228 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=768,584 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=1024,779 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=400,304 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=600,457 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sts-30-11-preflight-crew-presser-mar-27-1989-sts-30-prep-37.jpg?resize=900,685 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">14 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">35 Years Ago: STS-30 Launches Magellan to Venus<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/asian-american-and-native-hawaiian-pacific-islander-heritage-month-2024\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"243\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=300,243 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=768,623 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=400,324 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=600,487 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/aapi_2021_22_chiao_after_landing_jsc2005e17946.jpg?resize=900,730 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">18 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Asian-American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 days ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/55-years-ago-three-months-until-the-moon-landing\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg 5366w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=300,209 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=768,535 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1024,714 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1536,1071 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=2048,1428 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=400,279 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=600,418 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=900,627 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=1200,837 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/moon-landing-l-3-months-23-lltv-2-flt-t2-003-82f-ream-apr-7-1969-s69-29772.jpg?resize=2000,1394 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">16 min read<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"related-article-title\">55 Years Ago: Three Months Until the Moon Landing<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 weeks ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Enterprise, the first space shuttle orbiter that NASA built, arrived at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on April 10, 1979. Although not space worthy, as a pathfinder Enterprise carried out tasks critical to ensuring the success of the space shuttle program. During its four-month stay at KSC, Enterprise validated procedures for the assembly [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":644774,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2671],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[12664,11995],"coauthors":[11996],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Enterprise Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA History","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"John Uri"}],"creator":["John Uri"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA History"],"dateCreated":"2024-04-12T18:36:00Z","datePublished":"2024-04-12T18:36:00Z","dateModified":"2024-04-12T18:36:02Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Enterprise Arrives at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/45-years-ago-space-shuttle-enterprise-arrives-at-nasas-kennedy-space-center\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2024-04-12T18:36:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA History\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"John Uri\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":13,"time_ago":"3 weeks","featured_image":{"id":644774,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983.jpg","title":"enterprise-at-ksc-22-arriving-paris-air-show-jun-1983","alt":"Enterprise atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft arriving at the Paris Air Show in May 1983","caption":"Enterprise atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft arriving at the Paris Air Show in May 1983"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/644685"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=644685"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/644685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":645070,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/644685\/revisions\/645070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/644774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=644685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=644685"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=644685"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=644685"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=644685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}