NASA Chooses Boeing 747 as Shuttle Carrier for Iconic Missions

NASA required a robust transportation solution for its space shuttles, which weighed approximately 100 tons. The agency evaluated two candidates: the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and the Boeing 747. Ultimately, NASA opted for the Boeing 747, largely due to its design advantages, including a low-wing configuration that supported the shuttle’s mounting better than the C-5’s high-wing design.

The Boeing 747, a four-engine jumbo jet, made its maiden flight in 1969 and quickly became the largest commercial aircraft of its time. Designed for intercontinental travel, it featured powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, each producing 48,600 pounds of thrust. This capability allowed the 747 to handle a maximum gross taxi weight of 713,000 pounds, making it a suitable choice for transporting the hefty shuttles.

NASA modified two Boeing 747s specifically for the shuttle transport role. The first, designated NASA 905, was a Boeing 747-123 model acquired from American Airlines in 1974 for $15,601,192. In 1989, NASA added a second aircraft, the NASA 911, which was a 747-100SR-46 previously operated by Japan Air Lines. Both planes underwent extensive modifications to support the shuttle’s weight and aerodynamics.

To accommodate the shuttle, Boeing reinforced the fuselage with three substantial struts. This modification necessitated significant internal structural upgrades to ensure safety during flight. Additional vertical stabilizers were added to the tail fins to improve directional stability, addressing the challenges posed by the altered aerodynamics from carrying the shuttle.

NASA’s initial tests in 1977 even included an innovative crew escape system for NASA 905, featuring pyrotechnics. The process of attaching the shuttle to the 747 involved specialized equipment known as Mate-Demate Devices. These massive structures lifted the orbiter high off the ground, allowing the 747 to be positioned beneath it for secure attachment.

For over a decade, NASA 905 operated solo, ferrying the shuttles until NASA 911 joined the effort in 1990. Together, they became the backbone of shuttle transportation, enduring through numerous missions. As the shuttle program concluded, both aircraft were tasked with final ferry missions, including a notable flight where NASA 905 delivered the shuttle Discovery to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, completing a celebratory loop around Washington, D.C. at approximately 1,500 feet.

The last flight of NASA 911 took place in February 2012, after which it was retired and is now displayed at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. NASA 905 followed suit later that year, becoming a centerpiece of a significant exhibit at Space Center Houston.

The decision to utilize the Boeing 747 not only highlights NASA’s innovative approach to aerospace logistics but also underscores the aircraft’s lasting legacy in space exploration history.