Discovery at Barksdale 9-20-09

Area 5150

Area 5150

Model citizen, Zero discipline
Barksdale got to babysit the Shuttle and her 747 ride this weekend. She was returning to the Cape from Edwards. This might be the last time Barksdale gets to host a shuttle before they are retired, so I took the op to snap some pics. Enjoy....

This Navy unit has been here all week training. Took a couple of pics of these guys playing prior to the shuttle arrival.
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Support Staff DC-9
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What a great looking machine! I'll hate to see it go. Hopefully I'll get myself down to a launch before they're done. Great job with the pics!
 
I'm just wondering who will end up getting the remaining shuttle's once they are retired.

I assume all the NASA facilities get them for display?

Area 5150
 
I'm going to miss the shuttle when it's gone, especially with the new direction NASA is taking. Hopefully I'll get to see her lift off sometime before she's retired.
 
Area 5150 said:
I'm just wondering who will end up getting the remaining shuttle's once they are retired.

I assume all the NASA facilities get them for display?

Area 5150
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They put some official bid process out a few months ago, IIRC. Basically, you had to have a boat load of cash, then you had to have a facility in which you can maintain it (aka, climate controlled). I believe that one of them has already been promised to the National Air & Space Museum in DC, where it will replace the Enterprise. So, that leaves two up for "bid" so to speak. Some people think Wright Patterson AFB might get one, and Johnson Space Center might get one.

Personally, I'm pulling for the longshot of the Kansas Cosmosphere getting one, but they won't, realistically.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
already been promised to the National Air & Space Museum in DC, where it will replace the Enterprise.
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So, if this is the case, (maybe) what happens to the Enterprise?

And, for those interested, I have pics of the Shuttle Endeavour here at Barksdale on a fuel stop last year.

Area 5150
 
Area 5150 said:
So, if this is the case, (maybe) what happens to the Enterprise?

And, for those interested, I have pics of the Shuttle Endeavour here at Barksdale on a fuel stop last year.

Area 5150
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Perhaps they'll take it down to KSC, and make a proper exhibit there at the launch site. Then, somebody could get the mock up they've got sitting outside there.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Personally, I'm pulling for the longshot of the Kansas Cosmosphere getting one, but they won't, realistically.
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I'd be rooting for that too. I'm sure it'll be hella expensive, but they got the Apollo 13 command module, I'm sure that wasn't cheap. Don't they have a mockup of the shuttle in the main lobby, though?
 
Thanks for the pics. Brought back some great memories of my days and KBAD. I really need to take the time and get back to Shreveport and visit some friends, and of course eat at Shanes!!!
 
SRA_kbad said:
Thanks for the pics. Brought back some great memories of my days and KBAD. I really need to take the time and get back to Shreveport and visit some friends, and of course eat at Shanes!!!
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You bet. KBAD is clicking right along and now they have a new command under their belt, too.

If you ever make it back to the area, let me know and I will meet ya at Shanes. Good stuff.

Area 5150
 
Imagine the amount of lift you could generate above mach 3. It would almost make the hauling aircraft 100% thrust productive.

It amazes me that Burt Rutan hasn't bit the carrot yet. :D Of course I'm throwing my hat in for the test flights at this instant.
 
XcalibeR said:
I'd be rooting for that too. I'm sure it'll be hella expensive, but they got the Apollo 13 command module, I'm sure that wasn't cheap. Don't they have a mockup of the shuttle in the main lobby, though?
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As far as I can remember (its been a few years since I've been there), they have like the starboard half of a shuttle, kind of up on the wall, in the main lobby. Sitting in there with the SR-71 and NASA T-38 they've got. It would be really cool, if somehow they could pull strings and get some full shuttle mockup, then use their Russian strings, and see if they could get some part of the Buran. That would be really cool to see them next to each other.
 
Awesome pictures! Tomorrow I am going to the Orbiter Processing Facility up at KSC to go get a tour of her, can't wait. I'll follow up with some of my own pictures. Amazing how weathered she gets on re-entry.
 
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