‘Avalon Hill - ‘Expectation’‘ [’Death Trap’, ‘London Blitz’, ‘Out of Control’, ‘Shuttle Orbiter’, ‘Wall Ball / 3-D Brickaway’]

[2600] [USA] [MAGAZINE(?)] [1983]

ENTERPRISE: THE FIRST SPACE SHUTTLE 

The space shuttle orbiter prototype was commissioned by NASA in 1972 and built at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, California, in 1974-76. Its original name, Constitution, was changed to Enterprise by President Gerald Ford in response to a letter writing campaign undertaken by Star Trek fans. On 17 September 1976, Enterprise, rolled out of the Palmdale manufacturing facilities and was greeted by NASA officials and cast members from the Star Trek television series.

From left to right they are: NASA Administrator Dr. James D. Fletcher; DeForest Kelley, who portrayed Dr. "Bones" McCoy on the series; George Takei (Mr. Sulu); James Doohan (Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott); Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura); Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock); series creator Gene Roddenberry;  U.S. Rep. Don Fuqua (D.-Fla.); and, Walter Koenig (Ensign Pavel Chekov).

Enterprise was designed to perform test flights in the atmosphere.  It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of spaceflight.

On January 31, 1977, the shuttle was taken by road to Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, to begin operational testing. It was lifted into flight on the back of a modified Boeing 747, from which it then decoupled.

Rollout