- Mischa
- OPF
The engines and the vertical tail are removed thus giving you a view to some inner organs and a lot of maintenance piping around. However, you never would think of a whole orbiter behind all this, would you?
- Mischa
- OPF
Standing within reach of the Endeavour without really seeing her could make you crazy. However, touching it with your own hands sure is an experience you only share with a few people on this planet.
- Mischa
- OPF
Endeavour’s right main landing gear. The French among you will be pleased to read that the tires are manufactured by Michelin.
- Mischa
- OPF
We all know how vulnerable it is. To avoid any accidental damage, it is covered with sheets of soft tissue.
- Mischa
- OPF
Looking towards the front, you see the connection pipe to the external fuel tank.
- Mischa
- OPF
These are the famous tiles for the heat shield of the orbiters. They are incredibly light weighted, even more incredibly heat resistant and absolutely most incredibly expensive. The price for one (1) tile is $ 10,000. To the left you see the material used for the rest of the orbiter’s surface, that is covered with heat resistant tissue.
- Mischa
- OPF
It takes a few moments to realize, that the ceiling in the hall you’ve just entered in fact is the belly of the orbiter, in this case the heat shield of the Endeavour.
- Mischa
- Crawler Transporter
Little me and the big beast. For such a giant, the tiny steering wheel is a strange contrast. Also, when you have expected an overwhelming amount of instruments like in the cockpit of an airliner, you will be surprised.