As others have pointed out, this is definitely the shuttle Colombia. Also, the shuttle is only placed on the back of the shuttle carrier when it's being flown from California back to Florida. This only happened after the shuttle would land at Edwards AFB due to bad weather in Florida. It was expensive and a long process so usually landings were delayed for Florida and only landed in California after a few days delayed.
Shuttles are placed on the launch pad at least a week before launch. The shuttle is hanging in the VAB (vehicle assembly building) weeks before launch where the external fuel tank and rocket boosters are attached.
This picture was most likely taken when the shuttle was being flown from Edwards back to Florida. They would stop in Houston to refuel.
My father did 3 shuttle missions. The families are flown to Florida for the landing and if the landing gets moved to California, the families miss the landing.
stmiba on September 16th, 2018 at 20:21 UTC »
Are you the one in moms left arm or the one leaning against her right hip? Either way, that is a cool family picture.
ironantiquer on September 16th, 2018 at 22:51 UTC »
Cool. We have a connection. My wife's Nephew piloted the Discovery in April 2010.
dstachio on September 16th, 2018 at 23:41 UTC »
As others have pointed out, this is definitely the shuttle Colombia. Also, the shuttle is only placed on the back of the shuttle carrier when it's being flown from California back to Florida. This only happened after the shuttle would land at Edwards AFB due to bad weather in Florida. It was expensive and a long process so usually landings were delayed for Florida and only landed in California after a few days delayed.
Shuttles are placed on the launch pad at least a week before launch. The shuttle is hanging in the VAB (vehicle assembly building) weeks before launch where the external fuel tank and rocket boosters are attached.
This picture was most likely taken when the shuttle was being flown from Edwards back to Florida. They would stop in Houston to refuel.
My father did 3 shuttle missions. The families are flown to Florida for the landing and if the landing gets moved to California, the families miss the landing.