Dates

Event

17 September 1976

Constructed as a Space Shuttle.
It was built to perform test flights in the atmosphere. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of spaceflight.

Markings Applied: Enterprise

Originally, Enterprise had been intended to be refitted for orbital flight, which would have made it the second space shuttle to fly after Columbia. However, during the construction of Columbia, details of the final design changed, particularly with regard to the weight of the fuselage and wings. Refitting Enterprise for spaceflight would have involved dismantling the orbiter and returning the sections to subcontractors across the country. As this was an expensive proposition, it was determined to be less costly to build Challenger around a body frame (STA-099) that had been created as a test article.

Enterprise was considered for refit to replace Challenger after the latter was destroyed, but Endeavour was built from structural spares instead.

Circa May 1977

Photographer: Robert Bourlier
Notes: Edwards AFB.

12 August 1977

First flight.
First free flight.

By June 1983

Photographer: Mike Henniger

18 November 1985

To Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Placed on display with Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Reston, VA.
View the Location Dossier

16 September 2011

Photographer: Robert Nichols

12 December 2011

To Intrepid Air and Space Museum, NY.
Ownership tranferred after Discovery Space Shuttle donated to NASM.

27 April 2012

Transported by air.
From Dulles Airport to JFK Airport NY on the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier.

6 June 2012

Placed on display with Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, New York, NY.
View the Location Dossier

Transported by ship.
Moved by barge to the Inrepid.

12 October 2018

Photographer: Johnny Comstedt
Notes: In Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York, NY, USA 12. October 2018.