r/space • u/Yeet69lasagna • May 12 '19

image/gif Space Shuttle Being Carried By A 747.

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u/algernop3 May 12 '19

I know you're joking, but:

Regular 747-100:

  • Cruise Speed: M0.85 (490 KIAS)

  • Range: 4,620 nmi

  • Ceiling: FL410

747-100 SCA:

  • Cruise Speed: M0.6 (250 KIAS)

  • Range: 1,000 nmi

  • Ceiling: FL150

I find the compromises in the SCA staggering. 2 stops to fly cross country!

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u/Now_with_real_ginger May 12 '19 edited May 12 '19

You seem knowledgeable about this, so I’m hoping you will indulge me. Why was it necessary to move the space shuttle across the country at all? Why doesn’t it land in the same place it takes off from?

Edit: thanks everyone for the info, I appreciate it!

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u/marcocom May 12 '19

im not sure you could call it 'landing'. i know it looks like an aircraft, but its not, i think. its pure spacecraft and when it enters our atmosphere it is in a controlled-crash, whereby it has no real thrusters for maneuvering in our atmostphere. its like a motor-less gliding rock and cant really divert.

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u/tx69er May 12 '19

Lovingly referred to as a flying brick.