doug (06/27/82)
the space shuttle took off guys
crc@clyde.UUCP (C. R. Colbert) (09/20/83)
NASA Head James M Beggs has reversed the shuttle program office decision to use Columbia as a parts supply/hanger queen. They had not consulted him when they made the decision. In fact, they are now planning to shift two missions to Columbia from the other shuttles. Most likely these will be Mission 17 in August 84 (Earth radiation budget spacecraft) and Mission 20 in November 1984, (Spacelab 3). For more info see Aviation week, Sept 19, 1983. /crc
jpr@drutx.UUCP (ReedJP) (01/31/85)
> The Enterprise is used for "fit checks" since it has the same dimensions > as a "real" orbiter. There are still no plans to fly it in space, however. > > Phil What I'm interested in is when will Columbia fly again? It's been a long time since it went in to be refurbished. Jack Reed AT&T-ISL drutx!jpr
alb@brunix.UUCP (Adam Buchsbaum) (02/11/85)
The Columbia is not just being refurbished. It is being converted, from a test vehicle to an operational orbiter. It's quite extensive work. The ejection seats in the cockpit are being taken out and the cockpit expanded to fit more people, tiles are being replaced by blankets, the cargo bay is being expanded, and the engines are being replaced with newer models, to name just a few things. There are many more. I do not know when it is scheduled to fly again.