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Space Shuttle

What space travel represented for so many.
⨴ Many operations on this machine have been automated, such as launch, booster separation, and payload deployment.
⨴ You must work to keep this thing on course, despite my best efforts. Don't be too rough with it, or it will probably explode.
⨴ The forward landing gear sucks. (The rear landing gear sucks as well, but not as bad.)







The Space Shuttle (or Space Transportation System) was a semi-reusable launch system - the first of its kind. Two solid rocket boosters aided the first minutes of the vehicle's ascent before splashing down under parachutes for reuse, and the orbiter could re-enter and glide to a landing somewhat like a conventional aircraft (after dropping the external fuel tank, which carried hydrogen and oxygen propellant). For many years, and for many people, it defined the future of space travel.

And yet - for all it was a marvel of engineering - that was not because of what it was, but in spite of it. It never achieved the dream of low-cost rapid reusability it championed - the boosters proved almost as costly to refurbish as to build, new external tanks were required for every mission, and the orbiter itself required months of costly inspection and maintenance after each flight.


Built (in part) for RLM Contest #19: Gliders!
It was extremely stripped down for the contest - you can see a screenshot of it (the one with the weird tank and boosters).

938 blocks!!! Yikes.

This is, to date, my finest bracecube-based build.

I built (and completed) the Space Launch System almost a year ago, based on parts I intended to use for this shuttle; funnily enough, it proved to be far easier to build than the Space Shuttle. Makes you think.
As of writing, I still haven't released it.

           My toolbox. Contains useful stuff.

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