Skip to main content

Space Shuttle Endeavour: Out of This World

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 11

 

I recently had the chance to visit the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is on exhibit at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. 

 

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 43

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 19


There were 6 different shuttles as part of the Space Shuttle program (Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour). The Discovery flew the most missions (39) and is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in DC. The Endeavor was first launched in May 7, 1992, and spent 299 days in space, traveling 122 million miles during its missions.

 

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 242015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 40

We were intrigued to know that the shuttle creates 2 sonic booms when breaking the sound barrier -- one with the nose and one with tail, < 1 second apart.  The Endeavor landed in California 7 times, with the vast majority during the day and at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The space shuttle program was crewed by 852 different astronauts during the whole mission (versus 48 for the Apollo missions). 

 

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 32

There are about 24,000 tiles and flexible insulation blankets covering the outside of the orbiter. The tiles are made from silica (sand) and cost about $2,000 each to make. The nose and the wings get hotter than any other part of the orbiter. They head up to 3000 F, which is hot enough to melt steel. Further, in space the temperature is 250 below zero. So, they have an incredible expansion and contraction coefficient. Each tile is individually created and numbered to fit a unique place on the orbiter. They are attached by felt to the orbiter so they wouldn't crack one another when expanding and contracting. They are both black and white: black on the bottom to reflect the heat, and the white tiles on the top to reflect the solar radiation. They are incredibly fragile and snap easily just being held in your hand.


Finally, the whole shuttle is suspended on a unique earthquake proof metal stand. Enjoy!

 

Endeavor, hitching a ride to California.....

Califonia Science Center Endeavour Small 03

Califonia Science Center Endeavour Small 02

Califonia Science Center Endeavour Small 01

 

The Endeavor's wheels......

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 04

 

An astronaut's toiletry kit....

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 06

A toilet in space....

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 08

And one of the engines (below) and thruster (above) that propelled Endeavor.....

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 22

2015-08-10 CSC Endeavor 23

 

 

 

 

Attachments

Images (14)
  • Endeavour: Tires from the Endeavour
  • Endeavour: Toiletries used in space
  • Endeavour: Toilet in space
  • Endeavour: Side view of the shuttle
  • Endeavour: Rescue hatch
  • Endeavour: Thruster
  • Endeavour: Engine
  • Endeavour: Tail section with thrusters
  • Endeavour: Heat silicon tiles
  • Endeavour: Tail section and me
  • Endeavour: Nose section
  • Endeavour: LAX landing for the last time
  • Endeavour: Flying over the Griffith Observatory
  • Endeavour: Flying over the Hollywood Sign

Add Comment

Comments (0)

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×