STSprog (ALT)_v_c_o_TPMBK (S-76-22458, orig. RIC photo, auto)

“SHUTTLE ORBITER/747--------An artist’s concept depicting the Space Shuttle Orbiter shortly after separating from the Boeing 747 carrier aircraft at the start of an approach and landing test (ALT). The Orbiter will make an approach maneuver, then it will go for a landing on the runway in tests to check aerodynamic flight characteristics. In addition to being used in the ALTs, the 747 aircraft will be used to transport the Orbiter from Rockwell’s final assembly and checkout facility at Palmdale, California, to operational launch and landing sites at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.”

By the talented & enigmatic Manuel E. Alvarez. Although, I must admit, the proportionality and/or perspective of the 747 doesn’t look quite right to me. Like it’s maybe a little truncated, and I think it's exaggerated by the orientation of the orbiter. Sort of reminds of several of Don Mackey’s works. And neither here nor there; however, I don’t think the SCA ever had its landing gear down during the ALT program, especially at separation. If so, artistic license?

Neither here nor there, part II: As always, excellent, knowledgeable & informative discussion regarding the SCA, particularly WRT tail marking:

www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001525.html
Credit: collectSPACE website

Taken on: March 29, 2022

Tags:

Manuel Alvarez

Manuel E. Alvarez

Space Shuttle Enterprise

Fred Haise

M. Alvarez

NASA meatball

NASA logo

NASA

NASA aircraft

NASA spacecraft

Boeing 747

Boeing

Boeing Company

Rockwell International

Rockwell International Corporation

EAFB

Edwards AFB

Edwards Air Force Base

Approach and Landing Tests

SCA

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

winged spacecraft

reusable spacecraft

orbiter vehicle

the shuttle

the space shuttle

space shuttle

artist rendering

artist concept

artist’s rendering

artist’s concept

Manny Alvarez « less

Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Space Transportation System

Groups appears in: • Aviation • Space Shuttle more » • Astronaut Autographs • Shuttle Concept Art « less

Stats: 2,531 views / 3 comments

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