Comments on: Lunchtime Quiz: Name the Space Shuttles

By: Steven from AL

Steven from AL — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:54:20 +0000

The Pathfinder was a trainer and did play a role in the working Shuttle program. In 1999, the nose cone from the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) had to be removed and used. NASA made it a practice to recondition and recycle the SRBs and were running low after loosing some in the Atlantic. It is on display at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

By: Steve from San Diego

Steve from San Diego — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:49:54 +0000

Got all six – and I too will miss the space shuttle program.

By: Troy H.

Troy H. — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:35:11 +0000

I would count Enterprise but not Pathfinder…

Pathfinder never launched or flew.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:18:25 +0000

done in about 30 seconds–love that space program

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:06:35 +0000

NASA used the British spelling because Endeavour (like all the shuttles) is named for another ship. In this case, it’s namesake was Endeavour, not Endeavor. I think that the shuttles themselves are overdue for an article on the main page, especially as the program is winding down. Incidentally, it’s winding down with a dense set of near-monthly flights over the next year to finish ISS assembly. Though the program (and indeed the shuttles themselves) is about 30 years old, it’s still easily the most complicated vehicle ever built.

In case you hadn’t guessed, I’ll miss the shuttle program badly. I’d become attached to it as it was the only manned American space flight program during my life.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:55:01 +0000

If you count Enterprise, you might as well count Pathfinder as well. It got a serial number (OV-98) and was used extensively for clearance tests and is on display today in an appearance that doesn’t appear “boilerplate.” Anyone who is familiar enough with the shuttle program to know about Enterprise probably knows about Pathfinder, too.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:54:36 +0000

NOOOOOOOOOOO. I missed the Enterprise. It took me 45 seconds to try to spell endeavour and I spaced on enterprise. Son of a Spock!

By: Kirk

Kirk — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:45:43 +0000

YEAH, stupid “u”! Rassa frassin “u”! Why does NASA use the British spelling?

By: Miss Cellania

Miss Cellania — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:27:10 +0000

Can’t do it. I didn’t know Endeavour had a “u” in it. I even looked the word up to see how it is spelled.