WASHINGTON DC, United States — The Space Shuttle Enterprise on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This historic spacecraft, the first orbiter of the Space Shuttle program, served as a test vehicle and paved the way for future operational shuttles. The Enterprise has since been replaced in the museum by the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Space Shuttle Enterprise, designated OV-101, was the first orbiter of the Space Shuttle program. Named after the starship from the television series Star Trek, Enterprise was built by NASA as a full-scale test vehicle. Completed in 1976, it was used for critical ground and flight tests that paved the way for the operational shuttles. Unlike subsequent shuttles, Enterprise was not built for space flight and lacked engines and a functional heat shield. It was primarily used for atmospheric flight and landing tests. The Enterprise played a crucial role in the development of the Space Shuttle program, allowing NASA to test critical systems and procedures. After its testing phase, Enterprise became a prominent museum piece, first at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, , where it was on display from 1985 to 2012. In April 2012, the Enterprise was replaced by the Space Shuttle Discovery, which had been retired from active service. The swap was part of NASA's plan to distribute the retired shuttle fleet to museums across the country. Enterprise was subsequently moved to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where it continues to educate and inspire visitors about the history of space exploration and the technological achievements of the Space Shuttle program.
Size: 4821px × 3193px
Location: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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