Space Shuttle Inspiration
33°55′12.59″N 118°7′20.03″W / 33.9201639°N 118.1222306°W
_forwards_fuselage.jpg?lang=en) Inspiration on display in January 2013 | |
| Country |  United States |
|---|---|
| Contract award | 1972 |
| Status | In storage |
Space Shuttle Inspiration is a full-scale mockup of a Space Shuttle orbiter built in 1972 by North American Rockwell to support the development and approval of the Space Shuttle program. Constructed to match the general dimensions of an actual orbiters, the mockup was used to demonstrate the shuttle concept to NASA and the United States Congress, and to assist in early design work.
After its initial use, the mockup remained in storage for several decades before being placed on temporary display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, California in 2012. It was officially named Inspiration later that year. As of 2025[update], the Center is working to build a 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) expansion building to place the mockup on permanent display.
History
[edit]The mockup was constructed by North American Rockwell in 1972 at its facility in Downey, California. Designed to match the approximate size and shape of a Space Shuttle orbiter, it was presented to NASA and the United States Congress to support approval of the Space Shuttle program. Because of this, it's often called "the first Space Shuttle". After the approval of the project, Rockwell used it as an engineering mockup, and it was critical tool for the design of hydraulic systems and cable harnesses for the production orbiters, as well as for test-fitting flight hardware.[2]
Following its use, the mockup was abandoned at the Downey facility, which was later acquired by Boeing. After Boeing closed the site in 1999, the mockup was wrapped in Tyvek sheeting and relocated within the facility to accommodate a film studio. When the site began redevelopment, efforts were made to find a permanent home for the shuttle.
In July 2012, the developers of the property arranged for the mockup to be placed on temporary display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, located on a portion of the former Rockwell site.[3][4][5] The mockup was officially named Inspiration on September 24, 2012, as it was the inspiration for all future orbiters.[5][6]
In May 2013, the City of Downey received a $3 million federal loan to construct a community center to house the mockup. However, the city council later voted to return it to storage pending the hiring of an executive director to lead the project.[7][8] On March 4–5, 2014, the structure was disassembled and moved to the city’s maintenance yard.[9][7]
A 2009 grant proposal estimated the cost of restoration and a permanent facility at approximately US$1,880,000 (equivalent to $2,930,000 in 2024), divided roughly equally between the two efforts.[3]
As of assessment, the structure showed significant deterioration. Its plywood outer shell exhibited buckling and delamination; paper-based interior components were disintegrating; and adhesives and plastics were discolored or embrittled. Clear plastic ceiling panels had developed cracks and were partially detached.[3][10]
On October 17, 2024, the Columbia Memorial Space Center transported the mockup approximately 1⁄3 mile (0.54 km) to a temporary storage site, with plans to fully renovate it. The center announced a fundraising goal of US$50,000,000 to construct a 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) exhibition facility, scheduled for completion in 2026.[2][11][12]
See also
[edit]- Space Shuttle Independence, the full-scale mock-up made from blueprints, used as an exhibit at Space Center Houston
- Space Shuttle Pathfinder, a fit-test mock-up
References
[edit]- ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (April 29, 2016). "Replica on the runway: Mock orbiter lands on real space shuttle strip". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Masters, Nathan (January 7, 2025). "Space Shuttle". Lost LA. Season 7. Episode 1. PBS SoCal. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c Goss, Heather (June 14, 2012). "Downey Will Display Shuttle Mock-Up". Air & Space/Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Hennigan, W. J. (June 15, 2012). "Meet 'the original shuttle'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ a b Pearlman, Robert Z. (July 12, 2012). "Original 1972 space shuttle mockup moved outdoors for Downey, CA display". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Council chooses 'Inspiration' as name for space shuttle mock-up". DowneyBeat.com. September 25, 2012. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ a b Yee, Greg (September 1, 2017) [March 12, 2014]. "Downey space shuttle mock-up's fate rests with yet-to-be-hired executive director". Press-Telegram. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Brown, Christian (December 19, 2013). "Downey's space shuttle mock-up going back in storage". The Downey Patriot. Vol. 12, no. 36. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Brown, Christian (March 6, 2014). "Downey's space shuttle goes back in storage". The Downey Patriot. Vol. 12, no. 47. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (June 25, 2012). "Original 1972 space shuttle mockup going on display". collectSPACE. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
- ^ Campa, Andrew J. (October 17, 2024). "'This is where it all happened.' Downey's space shuttle prototype begins move to future home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ "Original space shuttle mock-up moves through Downey for restoration". The Downey Patriot. October 18, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.