MOVED: Space Shuttle Orbiter - Sunnyvale, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 24.898 W 122° 03.851
10S E 582811 N 4141318
A one-third scale model of the Space Shuttle Orbiter that was used in wind tunnel testing.
Waymark Code: WM8B4G
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/05/2010
Views: 3
UPDATE: It appears that this SSO replica has been moved to a new location. The satellite view in 2017 shows only the concrete pad and the three footings for mounting are left at this location. See waymark
WMVFY5 for the new location. The information sign shown here is not present at the new location (currently).
This Space Shuttle Orbiter is mounted in front the
Ames Research Wind Tunnel. A sign in front of the SSO reads:
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The 1/3 scale model is the largest model of the Orbiter ever tested
in a wind tunnel. It was tested in the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel
for over 200 hours. The information gained from these tests was used
in the final design phase.
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Model Specifications
30 feet long
28 feet wide
25 tons weight
Constructed of steel covered with fiberglass epoxy
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This was only one of many contributions the Ames Research Center
made to the Space Shuttle development. Ames also conducted small
scale wind tunnel tests of the launch configuration with external tank
and solid rocket boosters, and dynamic tests of shuttle separation
from the external tank. Ames flight simulators were used to help
develop the flight controls, and are still used as training tools for
astronauts as they prepare for missions. Many of the shuttle missions
flown have included experiments and hardware developed here at Ames.
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