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lonestarflight · 7 months

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Rollout Ceremony for the third operational orbiter, Discovery (OV-103) at Palmdale, California. On the stage is the Don Beall of Rockwell (at lectern), Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, the president of the company and the crew of her first first flight STS-41-D.

She is named for several different ships:

"The name Discovery was chosen to carry on a tradition based on ships of exploration, primarily HMS Discovery, one of the ships commanded by Captain James Cook during his third and final major voyage from 1776 to 1779, and Henry Hudson's Discovery, which was used in 1610–1611 to explore Hudson Bay and search for a Northwest Passage. Other ships bearing the name have included HMS Discovery of the 1875–1876 British Arctic Expedition to the North Pole, and RRS Discovery, which carried the 1901–1904 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica, led by Captain Scott."

-information from Wikipedia: link

At the beginning of her career, Discovery weighed roughly 3,600 kg (7,900 lb) less than Columbia due to lessons learned during the construction and testing of Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger. She weighs 6 pounds (2.7 kg) heavier than Atlantis and 363 pounds (165 kg) heavier than Endeavour. Part of this was due to the greater use of quilted AFRSI blankets rather than the white LRSI tiles on the fuselage, and the use of graphite epoxy instead of aluminum for the payload bay doors and some of the wing spars and beams.

"During her construction, Discovery was fitted with several black tiles near the middle starboard window where there should have been white tiles. It is unknown if this was the result of a harmless manufacturing mishap or done intentionally to give a distinctive look to the shuttle. This feature has been called 'teardrop' and allowed Discovery to be easily identified.

Upon her delivery to the Kennedy Space Center in 1983, Discovery was modified alongside Challenger to accommodate the liquid-fueled Centaur-G booster, which had been planned for use beginning in 1986 but was cancelled in the wake of the Challenger disaster."

She was originally intended to be the dedicated US Air Force shuttle and launch DoD payloads from SLC-6 at Vandenberg AFB but these plans were cancelled in aftermath of the Challenger disaster.

Commemorative stamp from Rockwell International (source)

Construction milestones:

1979 January 29: contract award to Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division in Downey, California

1979 August 1: start long lead fabrication of upper forward-fuselage, Downey

1979 August 27: start long lead fabrication of Crew Module, Downey

1980 March 3: start fabrication aft-fuselage, Downey

1980 June 20: start fabrication lower forward-fuselage, Downey

1980 September 29: start assembly of Crew Module, Downey

1980 October 1: start fabrication/assembly of mid-fuselage, San Diego

1980 November 10: start assembly of aft-fuselage

1980 December 8: start initial system installation aft fuselage

1981 March 2: start fabrication/assembly of payload bay doors, Tulsa

1981 June 1: start fabrication of vertical stabilizer, Fairchild-Republic

1981 October 19: start fabrication/assembly of body flap, Downey

1981 October 26: start initial system installation, crew module, Downey

1982 January 4: start initial system installation upper forward fuselage, Downey

1982 March 16: mid-fuselage on dock, Palmdale

1982 March 30: Elevons on dock, Palmdale

1982 April 30: Wings on dock, Palmdale

1982 April 30: lower forward-fuselage on dock, Palmdale

1982 July 16: upper forward-fuselage on dock, Palmdale

1982 August 5: vertical stabilizer on dock, Palmdale

1982 September 3: start of final assembly

1982 October 15: body flap on dock, Palmdale

1982 December 28: crew module on dock, Palmdale

1983 January 11: aft-fuselage on dock, Palmdale

1983 February 25: forward RCS module on dock, Palmdale

1983 February 25: complete final assembly and closeout installation, Palmdale

1983 February 28: start initial subsystems test, power-on, Palmdale

1983 May 13: complete initial subsystems testing

1983 July 26: complete subsystems testing

1983 August 12: completed final acceptance

1983 October 16: Rollout from Palmdale

1983 October 28: SSME on dock, KSC

1983 November 5: overland delivery to Edwards AFB

1983 November 6: ferry flight to Vandenberg AFB

1983 November 8: ferry flight to Carswell AFB

1983 November 9: ferry flight to KSC

1983 November 15: transport to OPF and start modifications, KSC

1983 December 9: transfer to VAB for storage, KSC

1983 December 22: SSME on dock, KSC

1984 January 3: transfer to OPF, KSC

1984 January 5: SSME on dock, KSC

1984 May 12: transfer to VAB, KSC

1984 June 2: flight readiness firing of SSME, LC-39A

1984 June 25: Conduct STS-41-D, first flight, launch KSC, launch scrubbed at T-9 minutes due to general-purpose computer No. 5 disparity with primary set of general-purpose computers.

1984 June 26: Conduct STS-41-D, first flight, launch KSC, launch postponed indefinitely due to shutdown of SSMEs 3 and 2 at T-4 seconds due to slow opening of SSME 3 main fuel valve, SSME I never received a start command.

1984 July 14: rollback from Launch Complex 39-A to VAB, KSC, for remanifest of payloads

1984 July 17: transfer to OPF for reconfiguration of payload bay and for remanifest of payloads

1984 August 2: transfer to VAB and remate with SRB and ET

1984 August 9: rollout to LC-39A

1984 August 28: remanifest 41 D mission launch for Aug. 29, postponed for 24 hours for software verification

1984 August 30: launch of STS-41-D

Date: October 16, 1983

NASA ID: S84-30898

source, source, source, source, source, source

#Space Shuttle #Space Shuttle Discovery #Discovery #OV-103 #Orbiter #NASA #Space Shuttle Program #rollout ceremony #Rockwell International #Palmdale #California #October #1983 #my post

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mydaddywiki · 8 months

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Sir Alex Ferguson

Physique: Average Build Height: 5′ 11″ (180 cm)

Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson CBE (born 31 December 1941-) is a Scottish former football manager and player, best known for managing Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. His time at the club has led to Ferguson being regarded as one of the most successful, admired and respected managers in the history of the game. Not to mention that he looks hot as hell.

During his 26 years with Manchester United he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two UEFA Champions League titles. He was knighted in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list, for his services to the game.

Obviously he has cute, sexy legs being a former athlete and all but the main attraction was his face. Handsome, soft and gentle looking. And the things I could do to those lips of his. He looks damn good in a suit, but seeing him in his sports/training outfits, you don't have to imagine him naked in order to get aroused. Then there's the attitude of his. Strict, shouty and a little violent. You just know this man would be good in bed. The kind of man I could spend hours with. Having him on his back, those nice legs in the air. Mmmmmm. Sorry, my imagination went into overdrive for a minute.

Ferguson lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, with his wife and have three sons. He's also a self-described socialist. There isn't much else I can say about him. He's lovely looking and I'd love to fuck him.

#alex ferguson #mydaddywiki sports figures #football manager

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contac · 3 months

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Hi there!

I've been trying to find the source behind the "Glunch" image, and the earliest I've been able to find it online was this post from you back on December 6th, 2017: https://www.tumblr.com/contac/168258865319

I figured out that it's Stephen Furst on the 1986 NBC Gameshow "Wordplay", and I've narrowed it down to one of five episodes:

Episode 40, aired 1987-02-23

Episode 41, aired 1987-02-24

Episode 42, aired 1987-02-25

Episode 43, aired 1987-02-26

Episode 44, aired 1987-02-27

My last challenge has been trying to find footage of the episode its from. I'm wondering if you happen to have the episode that glunch appears in, or if you at least know a way I could get it. Or, at the very least, I'm curious where you found the image if it wasn't you who took the still.

Thanks so much!

Man, I'm so sorry about this because I know what it's like when trying to find something insanely obscure like this, but I'm not sure which episode it's from because it's actually from a COMMERCIAL for Wordplay. I was going through one of my Goodwill videocassettes of old recorded television and snagged the picture of GLUNCH from there. There's no way in hell I could ever find it again even if I tried because once I'm done making gifs and other recordings from the videocassettes I find at Goodwill, I donate them back again or give them away because I don't have the space to keep them all (unless it's something really special).

Again, sorry about that, but I wish you luck in finding what you're after!

#feedback #glunch #questions #bizcastl

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horrororman · 5 months

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Remembering Elsa Lanchester (October 28, 1902 - December 26, 1986).🕯

#horror

#horror #horror movies #horror movie #elsa lanchester

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finalproblem · 6 months

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Sherlockian Wednesday Watchalongs: 🎅 HoHoHolmes

🎶🎄 Deck the halls with all the Sherlocks, fa la la la la, la la la la! 🎄🎶

Wednesday, December 6 Sherlock Holmes: The Blue Carbuncle (1968 TV episode) Peter Cushing finishes out his run on this series with a mystery found inside a Christmas goose.

Wednesday, December 13 The Blue Carbuncle (1979 movie) Just when you thought you'd seen all the Soviet-era musical comedy Holmes adaptations, you find out about The Other One.

Wednesday, December 20 Tales from Dickens: A Christmas Carol (1959 TV episode) You know Basil Rathbone from his portrayal of one of the most famous characters in British literature, but now you'll see him… do that. Except with Scrooge this time.

December 24–26: 🎁 Bonus Holmes for the Holidays watchalong marathon! 🎁

Wednesday, December 27 The Great Mouse Detective (1986 movie) It's time for our annual visit with Basil of Baker Street.

Here’s the deal: Like Sherlock Holmes? You’re welcome to join us in The Giant Chat of Sumatra’s #giantchat text channel to watch and discuss with us. Just find a copy of the episode or movie we’re watching, and come make some goofy internet friends.

Keep an eye on my #the giant chat of sumatra tag and the calendar for updates on future chat events. We'll be having more special bonus events at the end of the year!

#the giant chat of sumatra #sherlock #bbc sherlock #sherlock holmes #sherlock holmes 1965 #the blue carbuncle 1979 #a christmas carol 1959 #the great mouse detective #watchalong #holiday special #finalproblem.tumblr.com/chat

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humunanunga · 2 years

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I did something completely unnecessary and looked up ages and timelines for dreamland/isekai protagonists and liminal spaces. What you do with the following information will be for you to deal with now. (Because I feverishly looked all of this up between the span of last night and this morning, despite math not being my strong suit, there is a chance I took a few wrong notes here and there. If you catch any I missed, I’ll edit the op.)

In late 2020, presumably mid-December after everyone’s birthdays passed, Eustace and Jill (the Final Battle) would be 87, Fran Bow would be 76, Milo (the Phantom Tollbooth) would be 69-72, Jesse Aarons (the Bridge to Terabithia) would be 52-60, Sarah Willians would be 50-55 (depending on when between 1980 and 1986 The Labyrinth is set in), cinema Bastian B. Bux would be 52 (book Bastian would be 46), the surviving Stranger Things cast would all be 37 years older, Sunny (OMORI) would be 40-44, Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes) would be 41, Helena Campbell (Mirrormask) would be 30-34, Misfortune R.H. would’ve been 27, Coraline would be 22-30, Madotsuki could’ve been anywhere between 26 and 45 if she survived, assuming this was set in the year of the release date, Max (the Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl) would be 25, and if the same assumption as for Yume Nikki applies, Ib would be 17 (quoting exact years in an abstract alternate dimension is not exactly reliable), making Garry presumably between 26 and 37.

Clara Silberhaus (the Nutcracker) was a senior by the time Alice fell into Wonderland.

Dorothy Gale was the same age as Digory and Polly (the Magician’s Nephew). They would have been in their twenties when Peter Pan and his shadow met Wendy, who would be in her mid-to-late twenties when Christopher Robin played in the Hundred-Acre Wood. Christopher would have been 24 when Fran Bow was taken to Ithersta. (And while it could be written off as an easter egg, a younger alternate Fran was friends with an alternate Alice. Being a younger alternate, they could have both been born later than in the timeline of the player’s Fran.)

Christopher Robin was 29 when Narnia was rebuilt from scratch, Wendy was in her mid-to-late 30′s, and Dorothy, Digory and Polly were ~69 (nice).

Milo (the Phantom Tollbooth) and Jesse Aarons are 9-20 years apart depending on when in the 70′s Jess and Leslie’s stories are supposed to take place.

The main events of Stranger Things mainly take place in Hawkins, Indiana, starting in 1983-- or 1979 if you count the first time a gate was opened even temporarily. Project Async’s known operations ran between the late 1980′s and late 1990′s, and is implicated by association with the Loma Prieta earthquake to be based in California. Their first prototype was run in May 1982, a year before the first sustained opening into the Upside-Down. The events of EverymanHYBRID concluded in 2010.

The City of Light and Land of Shadows, the Hundred-Acre Wood, the Lands Beyond, Neverland, Wonderland and the Looking Glass, the beldam (in the book wherein Coraline did not take place in Oregon) and much of Narnia’s invitations all made contact with our world (or at least one variation thereof) through England, especially London. Whether pagan practice was all that stood between Brits and an outbreak of dimensional rifts before the christianization of Europe remains unknown. If all these events happened in the same universe, well, maybe that just happened to be the arrival point of that escape route The Web was working on. I, of course, am entertained by the idea of Jon the Archivist becoming Jon the Hunger in this absolute crossover singularity I’ve just propositioned.

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reactor-four-official · 1 year

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History of the RBMK 1000 (Reaktor Bolshoy Moschnosti Kanalnyy): High Power Channel Type Reactor

The RBMK 1000 reactor, the type involved in the Chernobyl Disaster, is a boiling water reactor (BWR) designed in the 1960s at the Kurchatov Institute, the Soviet Union's nuclear science center.

The USSR had placed a priority on developing nuclear power in the late 1950s in its never ending attempts to improve its infrastructure and power its rapidly expanding industrial base. Nuclear reactors are extremely effective at providing high baseload capacity to a power grid, since they are rarely switched off and (depending on the design) can generate enormous amounts of electricity for lower running costs than a more traditional hydrocarbon power plant. Essentially, since they are (almost) always on, they are always providing the grid with a large and extremely reliable supply of energy. It also allowed the USSR to appear at the front of atomic energy, and laude the successes of the ‘Peaceful Atom’. In the atmosphere of the Cold War, peaceful use of atomic power was a key propaganda tool at home and abroad.

The RBMK was selected for construction by the Ministry of Energy over the rival VVER Pressurized Water Reactor in 1968. It was chosen because it was cheaper to construct in terms of material costs, and the components could be mass produced in pre-existing factories for far lower cost. With an enormous power output of 1,000 MWe (megawatts of electricity) it was declared the 'National Reactor' of the USSR. Construction began on the first RBMK in 1970 at the Leningrad Atomic Energy Station. This unit entered service on December 21st, 1973.

Below: A labeled diagram of the core of an RBMK type reactor.

The RBMK 1000 and its successor RBMK-1500 (basically the same reactor with a slightly higher power output) was fraught with safety issues almost from its inception. This was related to several design features and quirks of the reactor, notably the abnormally high positive void coefficient due to steam bubbles in the coolant circuit and the use of graphite as a moderator. Several other even more concerning design flaws would become apparent over the course of its operation, culminating in the explosion of Chernobyl Unit 4 on April 26th, 1986. These revelations have even continued up until present day, with the most recent example being in 2012 when Leningrad Unit 1 (the one mentioned at the end of the previous section) had to be shut down for 18 months to replace graphite moderator blocks that had deformed due to heat and extensive use. This issue has been identified at several other RBMKs.

The reactor type experienced no less than two partial meltdowns in the history of its operation, one at the Leningrad plant and one at the Chernobyl plant (the partial meltdown incident at the Chernobyl plant is different from the explosion and complete meltdown of Unit 4 in 1986). Both of these were serious incidents with not insignificant radioactive releases, but they only partially damaged the respective reactors. The public was not notified in either case, and all information on the design flaws was kept secret by order of the USSR’s highly centralized government.

RBMK construction was halted only in the wake of the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986. Of the 26 reactors approved for construction, only 18 ever entered service. Several modifications were made to the existing RBMKs to eliminate the dangerous flaws that had lead to the 1986 accident. As of 2023, most RBMKs have been shut down and decommissioned. Of the 18 completed reactors, only eight still operate (Three at the Kursk NPP, two at the Leningrad NPP, and two at the Smolensk NPP. All but one of them are scheduled to be shut down and decommissioned by 2030).

The RBMK’s impact has primarily been showing that graphite moderated reactors have far fewer safety features than other water moderated reactors like those in the West. Ironically, the VVER which had been sidelined by the RBMK has enjoyed massive commercial success both in Russia and abroad as an exported design. VVERs are still being actively built and operated in about a dozen countries worldwide.

This is simply an informative blurb on the history of the RBMK-1000 nuclear reactor. I am going to make a more in depth explainer of how the reactor is built as well as an analysis of the physics of the accident at Chernobyl. I will update this post with a link to them when they are complete. My planned deadline is the 26th of April, the anniversary of the explosion. I hope this post has been informative and I am of course happy to answer any further questions and provide any requested information.

#rbmk #nuclear reactor #chernobyl #nuclear power #bwr #disaster #history #autism #nuclear #accidents and disasters #radiation #rbmk 1000 #reactor #chernobyl hbo #chnpp #ussr #soviet union #chernobyl disaster

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davidhudson · 2 years

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Elsa Lanchester, October 28, 1902 - December 26, 1986.

James Whale’s The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

#elsa lanchester #cinema #film #movies

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citizenscreen · 25 days

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Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 – April 26, 1986)

#broderick crawford #old hollywood

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what-if-queen-camilla · 10 months

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Chapter 26

The part we've probably all been equally awaiting as afraid of... 🥺 The house of cards is collapsing, everyone... 🥺🥺🥺

20th November 1995

Middlewick House

To her own surprise, Camilla had managed to find a more or less comfortable spot in front of the television tonight, on the floor in what used to be her and Andrew's sitting room, between half-packed boxes and half-dismantled furniture; they were in the middle of relocating, the final moving date was scheduled for the first week of December so that they'd settle down in their new home just in time for Christmas. She had just put Thea to bed, got herself a huge glass of red wine (she had no idea just how much she was going to need it at this point…), cuddled up in a fluffy blanket and tuned in on tonight's program just in time… "Your Royal Highness, how prepared were you for the pressures that came with marrying into the Royal Family?", was the first question the reporter asked Diana, who, trapped in her hatred and anger, had decided to give an interview, publicly slamming everybody but herself for the misery she found herself in and somehow Camilla had the feeling that it probably wasn't going to do her any good. The Princess put on the sad look that she wore so well, dramatically lowering her eyes, as she replied, full of self-pity: "At the age of 19, you always think you're prepared for everything, and you think you have the knowledge of what's coming ahead. But although I was daunted at the prospect at the time, I felt I had the support of my husband-to-be." Camilla rolled her eyes, emptying her wine almost in one go. "You actually did have his support.", she thought, re-pouring herself another glass. "Before you started acting like a… oh nevermind." It was true. She had, indeed, had Charles' support. She, Camilla, remembered all too well how, before the wedding, he'd come over one last time, excitedly telling her all about his wife-to-be and how he'd do anything to make her feel comfortable and welcome and help her settling in her role - a role that yet had to be written at that point. He had been so optimistic and really had thought highly of Diana, convinced that she'd do brilliantly, that everyone was going to love her… and, with that, he'd been right actually."So you were isolated?", the reporter asked at some point, referring to how she was, or rather felt she was, treated by Charles, and of course that little bitch only too happily confirmed: "Uh,uh, very much so."What came next took her by surprise. Camilla had of course been expecting Diana to take every given opportunity to go after her… but that question seemed to come just as much out of nowhere as the response…

"Do you think Mrs Parker Bowles was a factor in the breakdown of your marriage?"

"Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."She had said it in a self-pitiful, innocent little girl sort of manner, again, dramatically underlined by a dramatic glance and Camilla's heart cramped in pain. This wasn't true. It simply wasn't true. They hadn't even… rekindled their relationship until, well, a certain sort of breaking point had been reached on both sides. And there had been nothing but heartache for all of them anymore… She could actually understand why Diana hated her and she couldn't even blame her, but Charles… Charles didn't deserve this. He'd tried so hard to make this marriage work, to make her happy, but she had almost broken him! He’d only just been a shadow of his former self when she first saw him again in 1986, full of self-doubts, insecurities and little to none self-confidence left. And that had been Diana’s work! She had constantly ridiculed him for everything he had done and stood for, laughed at his ambitions and ideas, his visions for a better future… She had never cared about his work, and he was such a visionair with such amazing, far-sighted ideas, but like most geniuses, also an incredibly sensitive, vulnerable soul who needed a lot of love, support and reassurance… But neither Diana nor anyone else in this world or at least in this press and media jungle ever seemed to even think of it. A woman’s heartbreak sold, a man’s didn’t. It didn’t fit with the common image of what a man, especially a future King, should be like; strong, resilient and caring and always looking after others; Charles was all of this without a doubt but he needed somebody to look after him, too. But Diana had never been willing to do that. Camilla gulped heavily and swallowed a few tears away, as the reporter asked his next question:

"There have been rumours about Mrs Parker Bowles' youngest daughter and certain… questions regarding… her biological father…" Camilla was in a state of shock. Had he really just asked her about… Thea's father? "Oh God, please don't… ", everything inside her screamed, desperately praying that…

"Well, if you're trying to imply that my husband could have an illegitimate child with his mistress then I can only say that it wouldn't surprise me at all."

She underlined the significance of her accusation with one more dramatic lowering of her eyes and Camilla felt like vomiting. Her heart was beating like mad, she felt dizzy in her head and her hands were soaked with sweat. No, no, no, this couldn't be real, it mustn’t be real, not her daughter! Thea was only eight, her sweet, little innocent child… she had nothing to do with that mess, she did not deserve any of this… How dared Diana going after her daughter?! She could go after her as much as she wanted, she could make the whole world hate her but… in going after her daughter she had crossed a line. She'd kill her. She'd get into her car, drive to London, storm Kensington Palace, find that witch and shoot her down. And then she'd end up in prison… and her poor little girl would be all on her own, so, no, that wasn't quite an option.

Oh God, what had she done. What had they done with all of their lies, all of those years… This was going to be her last night as a carefree, happy, normal child, before the eyes of the world would be on her. She'd thought they'd been through hell following the publication of those goddamn tapes almost three years ago… then she'd thought they'd been through another hell following Charles' interview last year… but now this… this was going to be her end. She was not able to go through any of this again, it would kill her. She had somehow managed to stay strong as long as it had only been about her but now that her daughter was the target… How was she supposed to protect her? How was she supposed to explain it to her? It would turn her entire world upside down, it would shatter everything they'd so lovingly built up for their sweet little angel…

Floods of tears were running down her face as she was wandering around the house aimlessly, when she suddenly saw headlights shining through the cracks in the shutters, followed by screeching tires in the driveway which almost frightened her to death. Who on earth was that now? The press? Oh God in heaven… Panicking, she rushed over to the main entrance, desperately trying to lock the door from inside with her trembling hands, but the person outside was quicker and opened it and before she had a chance to recognise who it was, she felt two strong arms wrapping around her tightly, pulling her close, and a well-known voice unusually loving assuring her: "Don't worry, Milla, I'm here. You're not alone. I'll take care of you both."

And - who do you think has immediately shown up to protect the ladies? :-)

*Side Notes:The panorama interview did happen, it did, indeed, air on 20th November 1995. The Royal Family seemed to have been aware that there was going to be an interview but unaware of the exact content. You might have heard about the recent investigation and Prince William´s moving statement regarding the interview, saying in 2021: “It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview was a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse and has since hurt countless others.” The first three quoted questions and answers are taken from the real transcript, but please, while reading and hopefully enjoying, keep in mind that there's, let's say, some certain controversy around the whole topic.

#king charles #queen camilla #royal family #royal baby #fanfiction #fanfic

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lonestarflight · 7 months

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The complete Shuttle Fleet AU

This is just my thoughts about how things might align for Enterprise to be refitted into an operational shuttle. This comes after reading a lot of the behind the scenes decisions and abandoned plans NASA had over the last 40 years. I only listed major events.

It wasn't meant to be this long but I hyperfocused too much on it one morning. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it.

• 1972: NASA started the Space Shuttle Program.

• OV-101 Enterprise: same rollout and testing as our timeline in 1976-77

•STA-099: delivered to Lockheed for structural load tests to simulate the launch and re-entry of an operational orbiter in February 1978.

• Point of divergent: The decision to use STA-099 instead of OV-101 as the second operational orbiter came too late as the frame was already tested to 90% stress load. At this point, it would be too costly to repair and bring it back inline. It was decided to continue testing to destruction (as was originally planned in our timeline), although some parts are removed to be refurbished for OV-103.

• OV-102 Columbia completed and rolled out in March 1980. (NASA doesn't relocate Columbia to KSC in March 1979 in an attempt to speed up her tile installation, which only delayed her completion).

•STS-1 is launched in December 1980 (instead of April 1981)

• NASA gives the go ahead to add Enterprise to the fleet and have her rebuilt after Congress increases their budget, but the work would start once OV-104 is completed.

• 1981: long led items for Enterprise's rebuild are started. This includes a new crew pressure vessel and a new aft-fuselage.

• OV-103, starts earlier and it's production is accelerated with parts salvaged from STA-099 (such as the forward fuselage upper section, elevons and vertical stabilizer). Construction completed in 1982 and christened Challenger.

source

• 1983: STS-7 is Challenger's maiden mission. Onboard is Sally Ride.

• 1983: OV-104 is competed and christened Discovery.

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• STS-12 is Discovery's first mission.

Note: NASA never uses the STS-41-D format. Where the first digit indicating the federal fiscal year, second digit indicating the launch site (1 was Kennedy Space Center and 2 was Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base), and the letter indicating scheduling sequence. This was due NASA Administrator James M. Beggs's triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). In this timeline, the assistant admins were able to talk him out of it and simply skip STS-13.

• 1983: Enterprise is returned to Palmdale for her disassembled and rebuild. As a weight saving measure her mid-fuselage is returned to Convair for a complete rebuild to bring it inline with OV-103 and OV-104.

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• 1985: at long last, Enterprise is rolled out and joins the fleet. She weighs about the same as Columbia despite weight saving implemented during her rebuild.

• 1985: Columbia is returned to Palmdale for refurbishment and to remove testing equipment (most notable is the ejection seats). This sees her thermal protection system revised and her 32,000 tiles reduced to 24,300. Most are replaced by Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation blankets which was used on the other three orbiters.

• September 1985: STS-21 is Enterprise's first mission

• STS-25 (STS-51-L in our timeline) launches at a later date due to NASA management listening to the Engineers about icy conditions on January 26, 1986. NASA quietly orders the complete redesign of the Solid Rocket Boosters.

• May 1986: tragedy strikes OV-103 Challenger during STS-27, when the attempted launch of the Centaur carrying the Ulysses probe explodes killing all those onboard. (A real fear in our timeline.)

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• The Shuttle fleet is grounded for a year, during the investigation. Ultimately the Investigation board concluds NASA was trying to do too much with too limited a system/funding and is used by the administration to demand a bigger budget. (It has less of an impact on the American psyche since it wasn't televised).

• The USAF cancels all Shuttle missions from Vandeberg Air Force Base. (Same as our timeline)

• With an increased budget, NASA agrees to Rockwell's offer to build two new orbiters for the price of one offer.

• 1986: Columbia is returned to NASA after her refurbishment. However, he is placed into storage with the rest of the fleet.

• 1987: return to flight with STS-28 with Discovery. Also first launch with the redesigned SRBs.

• 1988: NASA launches the Shuttle-C program (or Cargo Transportation System), an expendable unmanned cargo pod, using the existing shuttle hardware. The goal is to increase the number of launches by augmenting the Orbiters and reduce the risks to human lives.

•1988: STS-29 Atlantis suffers a foam strike during launch. Post flight analysis determines the foam came from the bipod connected the ET near the top to the front underside of the orbiter. The orbiter was nearly lost during re-entry if it weren't for the fact the strike happened to a tile that was over less critical areas and the missing tile was over a steel patch for an antenna, which gave extra protection to the spacecraft structure. NASA removes the foam from the bipod connection on all missions going forward.

• OV-105 is built from spares from Challenger and Discovery. Completed in 1990 and christened Atlantis. Her design is the first to include a glass cockpit and other improvements.

• 1991: STS-45 is Atlantis's first mission

• OV-106 is a complete to an slightly improved design, making her lighter and stronger than her sisters. Externally she looks the same. Completed in 1992 and is christened Endeavour.

source

- Structural spares are built to replace the ones used in Atlantis's construction and are designated OV-107.

• 1992: first launch of the Shuttle-C (CTS-1). Mission was a success, carrying a DoD payload.

Shuttle-C render by Nathan Koga for Space Flight Insider: link, link

• CTS-3: launches the Ulysses II probe

NASA image: link

• 1993: STS-59 is Endeavour's first mission

• Rockwell International merges with Lockheed to become Lockheed-Rockwell.

• December 1993: OV-101 Enterprise is retired due to being the oldest in the fleet. Endeavour takes her place in the fleet. Enterprise is given to the Smithsonian with the option of being recalled by NASA if needed.

• 1994: NASA launches the X-33 program to compliment the shuttle as an unmanned reusable launch vehicle (RLV) and replace the Shuttle-C.

• 1996: CTS-5 carries the first component of the International Space Station.

Artwork by okan170: link

•1996: the Shuttle-C program is cancelled to divert funds to the X-33 program.

• 1998: Lockheed-Rockwell design is selected over proposals from McDonnell-Douglas and Northrop-Grumman/Boeing

SDASM Archives: 08_00991

• 1998: NASA begins the X-38 CRV (Crew Return Vehicle) program. The CRV is designed to be a lifeboat for the ISS.

• 2001: X-33 RLV program is shelved due to technical challenges and budget cuts.

• 2003: STS-118, Columbia conducts her first (and only) mission to the International Space Station. While docked, it was discovered an ice strike damaged her reinforced carbon–carbon leading wing edge panel. The crew stays in the ISS a week while waiting for rescue from STS-119 Atlantis. NASA jerry-riggs an autopilot system to have Columbia re-enter the atmosphere unmanned after her leading edge was temporarily repaired. It was expected for her to burn up in the atmosphere and what remained to land in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. However, against all odds Columbia survives and lands at Edwards Air Force Base. Although her port land gear collapsed during breaking after tough down and caused additional damage to the batter shuttle.

• The crew of STS-118 ride back on STS-119 Atlantis and land in Kennedy Space Center.

• Unfortunately, the damage to Columbia is too extensive and she is retired. She is placed in storage at Palmdale, California.

• In the wake, NASA begins Project Constellation, with the goal being to complete the original space transportation system (STS) mission. Which was a reusable system to carry astronauts to the moon and beyond. NASA and the US calls on the international community to fund and build the components.

NASA ID: MSFC-70-PD-4085 B

• The ET is modified with a half shell to remove the risks of form/ice strikes and the Shuttle TPS is upgraded with the materials from the shelved X-33 program.

• OV-101 Enterprise is recalled by NASA to be the prototype of an unmanned shuttle and is given a thorough rebuild with newer and lighter wings and other components but entirely unmanned. Some joking refer to her as Enterprise-A, as a reference to Star Trek.

• NASA funds Lockheed-Rockwell to build OV-107, another uncrewed version, to augment Enterprise.

• The ISS construction continues but becomes a research/launching platform for missions to the moon and ultimately beyond

• 2004: the X-38 is launched on a liftover Shuttle-C, modified for lifting body, to the ISS (CTS-10).

source

Artwork by SpacePozzolo: link

• 2005: return to flight with STS-121 Discovery.

• 2008: first flight of Enterprise-A (CTS-11).

• 2008: the ISS is completed

Artwork by NanoRacks: link

• 2009: OV-107 construction is completed and christened Constitution. Her first flight happens later that year (CTS-16).

• 2009: NASA announces the rocket that will carry the components of the Constellation programs beyond Earth orbit will be called the SLS (Space Launch System). Boeing was selected to build the core stage. The SLS will used SSME at the end of their life's and newly constructed expendable versions. A third launch, pad 39C, will be constructed for the SLS.

• 2009: Lunar Transfer Vehicle (LTV, later renamed Orion) is used to transfer crews from LEO to Lunar orbit. Two components make up the vehicle. The crew section is to be built by NASA/CSA and the fuel/propulsion section built by the ESA. The SLS will be used to launch the fuel/propulsion section of the LTV.

- OV-101 and OV-107 are used to launch the crew section of the LTV. Which will rendezvous with the ISS.

- SLS Block II, an upgraded version, is use to launch the Gateway components. Gateway components will be built in the ESA and Japan.

- A Lunar space station, Gateway, launched and constructed in lunar orbit for Orion to rendezvous and house the Altair lunar lander. Three Orions are kept in orbit, one at each station in case of an emergency and a third in use.

• The first is find locations with abundant raw materials for fuel the future moonbase.

• 2010: NASA announces the X-50 SSTO Program and the Commercial Crew Program, with the goal of replacing the Shuttle (including the Enterprise and Constitution). The X-50 is the successor to the X-33.

• 2012: Lockheed-Rockwell is selected to build the X-50

• 2014: SpaceX Dragon and Sierra Space Dreamchaser are selected as part of the Commercial Crew Program.

• 2017: OV-104, OV-105 & OV-106 are retired when th Dreamchaser and SpaceX Dragon are brought online. List of each shuttle's last mission:

- STS-203 Discovery

- STS-204 Endeavour

- STS-205 Atlantis

• 2018: the maiden flight (CTS-70) of the X-50 Starlight (OV-201 Constellation)

• 2019: OV-101 is retired for the final time when the X-50 Starlight shuttles are brought online. OV-107 is kept in standby but eventually is turned over to a museum. List of their missions:

- CTS-74 Enterprise

- CTS-75 Constitution

• NASA has three operational Starlights. Spares are construction, OV-204.

-OV-201 Constellation

-OV-202 Columbia II

-OV-203 Adventure

• 2019: the first launch of the SLS was a success