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Raumfahrt - Houstons Space Shuttle Replica Name: Independence

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Houston's space shuttle replica christened 'Independence'

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Houston's space shuttle mockup is no longer nameless.

The full-size replica is now space shuttle "Independence," its new name symbolizing the spirit of Texas.

Officials with Space Center Houston, the visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, revealed the name — the winning entry from its recent "Name the Shuttle" statewide contest — during a public christening ceremony Saturday (Oct. 5).

"We received a total of 10,263 [contest] entries from all across Texas, and our elite panel of judges sorted through a widespread collection of possibilities," Richard Allen, the president of Space Center Houston, said. "It was a tough decision, but we ultimately chose a name that celebrates the Lone Star State and highlights its distinct contribution to America's space shuttle program."

The "Name the Shuttle" competition was open to all Texas residents of adult age, from July 4 through Sept. 2 of this year. Entrants were asked to submit names that captured the state's qualities of "optimism and can-do attitude."

"Independence" was unveiled on Saturday printed on the body of the 123-foot-long (37 meters), high-fidelity shuttle replica, which since June 2012 has been exhibited outside at Space Center Houston. The newly-named space shuttle Independence will eventually sit atop NASA's original 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft jumbo jet, as part of a $12 million, six-story attraction currently under development.The mockup, which was called "Explorer" for the 18 years it was on exhibit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, was stripped of its name before being barged to Houston last year.

Tim Judd of Kingwood, Texas, who was the first to submit "Independence" for the replica's new name, participated in Saturday's unveiling ceremony. Judd, who is 29, will have his own name and hometown incorporated into the exhibit once construction is completed in 2015.

"When I first heard about the 'Name the Shuttle' contest, 'Independence' was the first thought to pop into my mind," Judd said. "This concept is important, not just to the state of Texas, but to all Americans."

"We enjoy freedom every day, striving for a greater sense of independence," Judd added. "It was that exact mindset that brought settlers here in the first place and what drives explorers into space today."

Ferguson in front of space shuttle Independence. (collectSPACE)

This isn't the first time "Independence" has been raised as an appropriate name for a space shuttle.

The name the second highest ranked (after "Constitution") among the 15 suggested for the first shuttles in 1978. An ad hoc committee ranked the list of names based on their "relationship to the heritage of the United States, or to the shuttle's mission of exploration."

Ultimately, the reusable winged orbiters were named after sea vessels that were used in world exploration. The now-

 

retired space shuttle fleet included Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. A prototype, originally called Constitution, was renamed Enterprise after fans of the television show "Star Trek" staged a successful letter-writing campaign.

For winning the "Name the Shuttle" contest, Judd received a multi-day trip for four to Houston, including a VIP tour of the visitor center and a "behind-the-scenes experience" at the Johnson Space Center.

The state-of-the-art space shuttle Independence attraction will give guests the unique opportunity to climb aboard the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747 airliner that was used to ferry the orbiters across the country. Visitors will also be able to explore the inside of the space shuttle mockup while it is mounted atop the SCA.

 

Concept artwork for the space shuttle Independence attraction at Space Center Houston illustrating the plan for exhibits inside the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and orbiter mockup. (SCH)

"The shuttle was a fantastic spacecraft," Chris Ferguson, commander of STS-135, the shuttle's final mission, said. "Visitors from around the world will have the unparalleled opportunity to explore this vehicle through the eyes of an astronaut, creating a truly unique shuttle experience."

"Space Center Houston will be the only place in the world where visitors will be able to see the shuttle 'piggyback' on one of the authentic carrier airplanes," he said. "It is most fitting that this magnificent combination will live its second career as a learning tool, inspiring generations to come."

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Update: 15.08.2014

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One small step - one big lift: Independence replica lifted atop shuttle carrier aircraft

With the moon looking on in the background, it took 45 minutes for the replica shuttle Independence to be lifted atop the space shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA) Thursday morning Aug. 14, 2014 at Space Center Houston in Houston. The SCA and shuttle will be permanent exhibits and at over eight stories tall, both will be open to the public and will offer interactive exhibits for the guest to explore, it will open in 2015.

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Residents came out to watch as the replica shuttle INDEPENDENCE is lifted atop the space shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA) Thursday morning Aug. 14, 2014 at Space Center Houston in Houston.

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A worker lines up the mount and the replica shuttle Independence as it was lifted atop the space shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA) Thursday morning Aug. 14, at Space Center Houston in Houston.

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Hundreds came out to watch as the replica shuttle Independence was lifted atop the space shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA) Thursday morning Aug. 14, 2014 at Space Center Houston in Houston. The SCA and shuttle will be permanent exhibits. At over eight stories tall, both will be open to the public in 2015 and will offer interactive exhibits for the guest to explore.
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The world's attention was again focused on Houston Thursday as the space shuttle replica INDEPENDENCE was hoisted by crane to its permanent home atop the NONPROFIT Space Center Houston's historic shuttle carrier aircraft. The free public event "Rise of Independence" marked another chapter in the ongoing story of Space Center Houston's future one-of-a-kind international landmark exhibit.
"This exhibit might be housed at Space Center Houston, but this is YOUR exhibit and YOUR history," Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Chairman of the Board Fred Griffin passionately told the assembled crowd. "Join the mission and help support this future world treasure." The NONPROFIT education foundation needs to raise a final $2.2 million in order to complete the $12 million educational project.
Space Center Houston President and CEO Richard Allen Jr. presided over the opening ceremony preceding the lift where SPEAKERS included NASA Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Ellen Ochoa, who spoke of her excitement in seeing the legacy of the space shuttle program preserved through this exciting new educational exhibit.
Former astronaut and retired USAF Col. Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a space shuttle, spoke of the educational value of the future exhibits and the importance of developing a STEM-based workforce to succeed in the global economy. These comments were echoed by University of Houston-Clear Lake President Dr. William Staples, who also referenced a 2010 university-conducted study which determined that Space Center Houston provides a $45 million annual ECONOMIC impact to the greater Houston area. This same study determined that the shuttle exhibit alone is expected to increase this impact, both long-term and during construction.
Just before 8 a.m. members of the Bay Area Youth Symphony were joined by Friendswood resident Timothy Judd (who previously won the contest to name the shuttle replica the INDEPENDENCE) to led the crowd in a T-minus-10 countdown to start the massive crane from Mammoet. With the August sun rising in the east, the crowd of several thousand watched in amazement as Independence was lifted gently and placed upon the historic Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft where it ultimately will become a destination for visitors from around the world.
Those wishing to give are invited to join the many generous donors in honoring the remarkable story of the shuttle program and celebrating our nation's space shuttle program by texting "Shuttle747" to 41444 today 
Quelle: Your Houston News

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'Space Shuttle' Now Back on Top of a Boeing 747, Permanently

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Quelle: Mashable

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Shuttle replica hoisted to new home
Tom Durr photographs the space shuttle replica Independence as crews prepare to use a massive crane to lift it onto the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on Thursday at Space Center Houston.
Quelle: The Daily News


 

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