Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
General Information
Alias	SCA
Operator
Type	Shuttle carrier
Functions	Space Shuttle carrier Launch vehicle

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is a modified Lockheed C-5 Galaxy heavy-lift transport aircraft used by NASA to carry Space Shuttles.

History

The aircraft was used to transport Space Shuttles between landing and launch sites, and to bring them to the Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale for their periodic overhaul (OMDP).

Starting in 1983, the SCA was also used as launch vehicle for the 2nd generation Pathfinder shuttles, carrying them to their launch altitude of 25,000 feet.

Gallery

Behind the scenes

• The C-5 Galaxy was considered as a potential shuttle carrier in OTL, but NASA opted to use a modified Boeing 747 instead.
• In reality, the two NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft were primarily used to transport the Space Shuttles between launch and landing sites. They were only used as launch vehicle for the early approach and landing tests with the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise.

See also

• T-38 Talon
• List of aircraft

External links

  Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on Wikipedia