Model, Space Shuttle, Straight-Wing Low Cross-Range Orbiter Concept
name: label: Manufacturer
content: NASA Ames Research Center
notes: label: Summary
content: NASA used this Space Shuttle orbiter concept model in wind tunnel tests to learn about the flight characteristics of the vehicle's shape. Although the orbiter would spend most of its time in space, its aerodynamic shape would affect its passage through the atmosphere during launch and descent. This straight wing model would have less cross-range maneuverability during final descent; that is, without engine power during the downward glide, it would have to complete its descent very close to a runway. However, straight wings meant a lighter-weight orbiter and less surface heating during reentry. NASA transferred a variety of wind tunnel and concept models to the Museum after settling on the final Space Shuttle design.
place: label: Country of Origin
content: United States of America
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Air and Space Museum Collection
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Air and Space Museum
identifier: label: Inventory Number
content: A19760753000
objectType: label: Type
content: MODELS-Wind Tunnel
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: CC0
physicalDescription: label: Materials
content: Resin, paint, steel
label: Dimensions
content: 3-D: 53.3 × 27.9 × 13cm (1 ft. 9 in. × 11 in. × 5 1/8 in.)