Imagine Being the Engineer to First Propose This Idea
 

Sure, We Can Just Piggyback It . . .

Discovery Gives D.C. A Thrill

http://5601-newswatch.voxcdn.com/fil...dc-600x422.jpg

What can't be put in the air with a big Boeing?

I'd be curious to know if it was an original idea or if they took inspiration from the German "Mistal" planes of WWII.

- Peter.

I don't know. Define the problem as needing to be able to move Shuttles around. Seems like a logical solution to me. Could have built a huge dirigible, I suppose.

Nice photo series. It's The American Way!

In the slide show, in addition to the awe in the faces of the people on the ground, can you also detect an ample helping of pride?

LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin?

Previous and latter examples show it works.
 

Bell X1 and the B-29

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...otherplane.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...n_flight_1.jpg

As impressive as the flight over DC was today. It was nothing new for the SCA-747. Check out this video

The SCA-747 was used to launch the Enerprise for its landing tests. The only time the Enterprise flew. After that the SCA-747 was used to ferry Space Shuttles from landing sites back to the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...%28rear%29.jpg

Nothing wrong with "ample helping of pride". I sure would have loved to watch, with cameras mounted.
Notice how this concourse mission has 'Wernher v. Braun' written all over?

They've been piggybacking aircraft for a long time for one reason or another.

This is my favorite shot of Discovery's last voyage, though, take at Joint Base Andrews:

It's better than towing it. That would be a sight to see.:D

Dunno. I believe it was also in James Bond Moonraker.

Point? :confused: Is that something that they should be ashamed of or what? :confused:

It was meant in a positive way.