Space Shuttle Discovery - Booster Rockets

Space Shuttle Discovery - Booster Rockets Model Kit in 1:144 Scale

The 1:144 scale Space Shuttle Discovery & Booster model kit is a detailed and sophisticated set for all model building enthusiasts aged 12 and over. With 97 individual parts, the kit offers everything you need to faithfully recreate the famous spacecraft. The set is suitable for experienced modelers and is classified as Level 4, which means it takes some time and skill to assemble the model.

With a height of 437 mm, the finished model will be an impressive collector's item and will allow you to experience the fascination of space travel up close. The model kit includes a variety of realistic features, including opening cargo hold doors, a movable transport arm, an outdoor fuel tank with two solid rockets, a mobile launch pad and three detailed rocket engine power stages. All parts are made of high-quality plastic and can be easily joined together to create a sturdy and durable model.

Scope of delivery

• 97 parts
• construction manual
• Decals for different Orbiter versions

Special features

• Openable cargo doors
• Movable transport arm
• Outdoor fuel tank with two solid rockets
• Mobile launch pad
• Three detailed rocket engine power stages

Background

The development of a transport system for NASA that could be reused in the main components began in 1972 at North American Rockwell and a number of other companies. The total weight of the ready-to-launch Space Shuttle is 2,055 t. It can carry a payload of 30 t into orbit up to 965 km above Earth. The orbiter prototype, the Enterprise, was completed in 1976. The Enterprise was used to research the flight and landing characteristics in the atmosphere and in the development of the space-capable shuttle.

The first launch of a space shuttle into space took place on April 12, 1981 with the space shuttle Columbia. With the completion of further orbiters from 1983 onwards, NASA considerably intensified its scientific-experimental and military-strategic activities together with the US Air Force. Communication and research satellites were transported into space, repairs were carried out on site and the American space station was built and supplied. The Challenger was in space for the first time on April 4, 1983. The Discovery took off for the first time on August 30, 1984. Since October 3, 1985, the fourth space shuttle Atlantis has been used on 26 missions. Endeavour made its first launch on 7 May 1992.

This ferry was equipped with numerous new devices and computers and thus became more powerful overall. The orbiters can remain in space for a maximum of 28 days. The enormous structural and thermal loads during take-off and landing require constant checks and maintenance of all components as well as the improvement of the equipment. The heat shield on the front and bottom of the space shuttle is particularly affected by this and must be constantly monitored and repaired. Due to two tragic accidents in which the entire crew died, the Challenger was lost in 1986 and the Columbia in 2003.

After a two-year hiatus and extensive modifications to the orbiters and the main tank, flights resumed. With its landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on August 9, 2005, the 31st flight of Discovery and thus the 114th Space Shuttle mission of NASA was successfully completed. With the resumption of shuttle flights, the expansion of the International Space Station (ISS) will continue in the coming years. This will also include the European space laboratory Columbus.