Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

NASA studied this concept for a partially reusable space transportation system during the Shuttle research effort in 1969-1972. The novel feature of this design is the placement of two external propellant tanks alongside the orbiter's fuselage. These disposable tanks would supply the orbiter after the piloted booster stage separated, and they would be jettisoned empty just before the spacecraft reached orbit. Putting the tanks outside reduced the size and weight of both the orbiter and the booster for improved performance during launch. Concept models like this reflected creative engineering approaches to balancing technical and cost requirements. NASA transferred a variety of concept models to the Museum after settling on the final Space Shuttle design.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Crewed Spacecraft & Parts Manufacturer North American Rockwell
 Dimensions 3-D: 35 × 18.6 × 15.2cm (13 3/4 × 7 5/16 × 6 in.)
Overall (Orbiter): 19.37 x 13.97cm (7 5/8in. x 5 1/2in.)
Overall (Booster): 32.39 x 18.42cm (1ft 3/4in. x 7 1/4in.)
 Materials Wood, paint, aluminum, adhesive decals
 Inventory Number A19760784000 Credit Line Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.