NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)
November 29th, 2022
The NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) Boeing 747-100s (N905NA and N911NA) were the two aircraft dedicated to transport the Space Shuttle. The 747 was the winner of the SCA competition by beating both the Conroy Virtus (see top left picture) and the twin fuselage C-5 (see top right picture). Of the three aircraft, the twin C-5 was immediately canceled due to the fact that NASA would have to buy it from the U.S. Air Force for each mission, merge two C-5s and after the mission unmerge them and return it to the USAF. The Conroy Virtus was canceled due to its size which was over 300' long and 400' wingspan. The 747 ended up being the winner and NASA then bought a 747-100 from American Airlines (N9668) and changed the registration to N905NA and then they ordered another 747-100 from Japan Air Lines (JA8117) in 1990 and changed the registration to N911NA.
N905NA, the 747-100 purchased from American Airlines, was used for the five Approach and Landing tests at Edwards AFB with Space Shuttle Prototype, Enterprise. Enterprise was never planned to go to space and lacked engines and a protective heat shield.
After the Approach and Landing Tests, five space shuttles were ordered which were Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Then in 1983, N905NA went to the Paris Air Show with Space Shuttle Enterprise and had anti-heatseeking missile gear onboard in case the Soviets fired a heatseeking missile while N905NA was in flight. In 1990, NASA bought from Japan Air Lines JA8117 which NASA changed to N911NA.
By the early 2000s after the loss of both Challenger and Columbia the Space Shuttle Program was winding down and the last missions of the SCA was transporting the remaining shuttles to several museums. Enterprise went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center first, followed by Discovery. After the arrival of Discover, Enterprise was sent to the U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. Atlantis was sent to Kennedy Space Center, and Endeavor to the California Science Center. Then, N905NA went to Johnston Space Center with Space Shuttle mockup, Independence on top. N911NA went to Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in California.
