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OV-099 Challenger was renumbered from STA-099 (Structural Test Article), it was not originally built to be flown. OV-099 as a number actually doesn't make sens
by Dalewyn 2y ago
OV-099 Challenger was renumbered from STA-099 (Structural Test Article), it was not originally built to be flown.
OV-099 as a number actually doesn't make sense, because the numbering scheme (OV-XYY) in full reads: Orbiter Vehicle, Series X, Vehicle YY.
Series 1 is the original (and only) line of flightworthy Space Shuttle Orbiters including Enterprise, Vehicle number is given in sequence within a series starting from 01.
So OV-101 (Enterprise's) reads Orbiter Vehicle, Series 1, Vehicle 01. OV-102 (Columbia's) reads likewise Vehicle 02, and so on.
OV-099 (Challenger's) reads Orbiter Vehicle, Series 0, Vehicle 99 which makes absolutely no sense.
- dotancohen 2y agoBut in the context of this thread we're discussing how heavy the airframe is. Wouldn't OV-99 be lacking the airframe lightening enhancements that OV-103 and later enjoyed?
- 51Cards 2y agoThrowing this into the chain for those who would like more specific weight information as the shuttle program progessed. https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/61842/what-outdated-components-of-columbia-made-it-heavier-than-the-other-space-shuttl https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/61842/what-outdate...