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About Spaceline
U.S. Astronaut Selection Drafts |
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A series of Space Shuttle Approach and Landing tests were conducted by Space Shuttle Enterprise in association with Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) N905NA between February 15, 1977 and October 26, 1977. These flights were divided into four categories. 1. Taxi Tests were intended to verify the taxi characteristics of the SCA on the runway while mated to Space Shuttle Enterprise. The Taxi Tests did not involve any flight time. No crew was aboard Enterprise for the three Taxi Tests. 2. Captive-Inert Flights were intended to verify the handling characteristics of the SCA in flight while mated to Space Shuttle Enterprise. No crew was aboard Enterprise for the five Captive-Inert Flights. 3. Captive-Active Flights were intended to determine the best profile that Space Shuttle Enterprise should observe in separating from the SCA during upcoming Free Flights. Captive-Active Flights were also intended to refine and test crew procedures and verify operational readiness of various Enterprise systems. Two astronauts were aboard Enterprise for the three Captive-Active Flights, although Enterprise remained mated to the SCA for the duration of these flights. 4. Free Flights were intended to verify the airworthiness of the Space Shuttle design, test on-board systems and test both manual and automatic Space Shuttle landing methods. Two astronauts were aboard Enterprise for the five Free Flights, during which Enterprise was separated from the SCA by the detonation of explosive bolts. Enterprise would then complete a free flight and landing. All Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with landings either at the concrete runway (04/22) or the dry lake bed runway (17). SCA Crew For All Tests:
Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., Pilot Enterprise Crew #1:
Fred W. Haise, Jr. Enterprise Crew #2:
Joseph H. Engle Taxi Test #1:
Date: February 15, 1977 Taxi Test #2:
Date: February 15, 1977 Taxi Test #3:
Date: February 15, 1977 Captive-Inert Flight #1:
Date: February 18, 1977 Captive-Inert Flight #2:
Date: February 22, 1977 Captive-Inert Flight #3:
Date: February 25, 1977 Captive-Inert Flight #4:
Date: February 28, 1977 Captive-Inert Flight #5:
Date: March 2, 1977 Captive-Active Flight #1:
Date: June 18, 1977 Captive-Active Flight #2:
Date: June 28, 1977 Captive-Active Flight #3:
Date: July 26, 1977 Free Flight #1:
Date: August 12, 1977 Free Flight #2:
Date: September 13, 1977 Free Flight #3:
Date: September 23, 1977 Free Flight #4:
Date: October 12, 1977 Free Flight #5:
Date: October 26, 1977 Back to U.S. Space Shuttle Chronology Index © Copyright 1998 by Clifford J. Lethbridge |
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| For more information, contact: Cliff Lethbridge cliff@spaceline.org Spaceline, Inc. P.O. Box 627 Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 |
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For Inquiries and Cape Canaveral Launch Updates, call: (321) 722-6070 FAX: (321) 768-8382 |