posted 09-23-2012 12:58 PM
I have loved all of the photos that has been posted on the shuttles being flown atop the SCA and would love to see if possible how the shuttle is attached to the SCA.
Are there any pictures of the attach points and how they work when the shuttle is mated to the SCA?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-23-2012 07:12 PM
The same attach points that were used to mount the orbiters to their external tanks were used to mount them on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
There are two aft attach points and one forward, the latter known as the tee pee and arrowhead after the shape of the mounting hardware. Some photos:
posted 10-10-2012 09:31 PM
That last closeup image is really funny. Apparently they quite a sense of humour.
"Attach orbiter here. NOTE: Black side down."
Donald New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 10-11-2012 12:53 PM
Thank you for the replies and photos. I would still like any info or photos of how the attach points work like the mechanical means of attaching the two, the shuttle and the SCA? Thank you.
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 10-11-2012 02:39 PM
Just like for the ET/Orbiter aft attachment. The orbiter has a socket and the ET has a ball and there is a bolt that goes through the center of both.