How Can A Boeing 747 Carry A Space Shuttle? – Ask The Captain
Categories: Industry News | News
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Boeing 747 Carries Space Shuttle
Question: I’ve always been fascinated at how they could strap the space shuttle on top of a 747 and fly it across the county. How does the extra weight from the shuttle not keep the plane from lifting off, and how does it not disrupt the airflow around the 747 and make it unstable?
— submitted by reader Doug in Indy
Answer: NASA and Boeing have some very smart aeronautical engineers. They calculated that the shuttle could ride safely and securely. They had attachment points built into the 747 to handle the weight and movement of the shuttle. There are extra vertical fins on the tail to help stabilize it in flight.
The weight of the shuttle is calculated like any payload. The 747 produces enough lift to fly and to carry the weight of the shuttle. In this respect it is no different than cargo carried inside the airplane.
To read this article in it’s entirety, please visit USA Today’s Travel page by clicking here.
