Endeavour Leaving Barksdale AFB

[JenzZx2]

Saw the homecoming, here it is leaving for the last leg of the journey this morning from Barksdale AFB.... not as nice as the ones back at home!

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Transportation/Endeavour1sm.jpg


http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Transportation/Endeavour2sm.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Transportation/Endeavour4sm-1.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Transportation/Endeavour5sm.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Transportation/Endeavour3sm-1.jpg

[ogre1231]

looks like a buff on the left in the last pic. 2 is a sweet pic

[JC4]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing the beginning of the trip home!

[FlyingPhotog]

How cool to see that come and go!

Do they make one stop enroute to the KSC or two?
I thought I read somewhere they go Edwards ---> El Paso ---> Barksdale ---> KSC because they have to short fuel to keep the weight down.

I know they've stopped at Davis-Monthan in Tucson once or twice over the years...

[RCoulter]

Great catch! :)

[JenzZx2]

looks like a buff on the left in the last pic. 2 is a sweet pic

Yep, it is indeed a buff.

How cool to see that come and go!

Do they make one stop enroute to the KSC or two?
I thought I read somewhere they go Edwards ---> El Paso ---> Barksdale ---> KSC because they have to short fuel to keep the weight down.

I know they've stopped at Davis-Monthan in Tucson once or twice over the years...

Yeah, I think they made two stops. Interesting about the fuel!

I was kicking myself for not driving down to the end of the runway while it was getting ready to taxi (is that what it's called?? lol) I didn't realize until I was leaving that was perfect places to park with a clear view after take off. Oh well.

[Bully834]

I'm so jealous. It spent the night in Forth Worth on this trip, and I missed both opportunities. Hopefully there will be another one before the whole program ends.

[PhotosGuy]

Good series, & probably a first here.

[smitty328]

coming into Fort Worth

[ogre1231]

smitty, that first pic just looks wrong!

[Scout7id]

Great pics, both posters! Awesome shot of the Ft. Worth approach.

[Kyl3]

So I know little (nothing) about aviation.. But it looks to me like they operate the flaps on the shuttle in unison with the 747..

Would this be correct? :)

Great shots too guys!

[mikeb540]

cool, as for the shuttle controls,, im not sure. very well could be linked to the 747, i know when i have a rc glider on piggy back rig it helps to control a little to releave stress on the mounts,, could be the same here.. im sure the 747 flys like a pig with the beast on top so any help would be good.
mike

[FlyingPhotog]

So I know little (nothing) about aviation.. But it looks to me like they operate the flaps on the shuttle in unison with the 747..

Would this be correct? :)

Great shots too guys!

I would be suprised to learn that they did this because I don't believe the Shuttle is powered up in any way while being ferried back to Florida.

[Kyl3]

Just an observation looking at the in flight shots and the static on the runway shots thats all :)

[smitty328]

If you look closer you can see that the flaps on the shuttle are not extended

[tom1s]

Beautiful shots. I am really going to miss the shuttle.

[Ben A]

I wonder what its like to fly that aeroplane, with the space shuttle on top...

[FlyingPhotog]

No doubt it's very ponderous due to the extra weight and it's also a serious drag as well. It probably affects all three axis' of the 747 (pitch, roll and yaw) because it's well above where the axis' intersect. However, I wouldn't be suprised to learn that it probably provides some extra lift.

[JenzZx2]

Sorry to bring this back up again, but I put together a little .gif out of a series of shots that I thought I'd share....

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Movies/endeavor.gif

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry to bring this back up again, but I put together a little .gif out of a series of shots that I thought I'd share....

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/jenzzx2/Movies/endeavor.gif

Very cool animation... Nicely done!

[Jon Foster]

Great shots and a great animation. It looks like the takeoff was fairly short too. Amazing...

Jon.

[andrewhuxman]

Cool captures , awesome sight to see...... I can imagine .

[credesigno]

Fantastic photo's, I remember as a kid looking up and seeing the Shuttle being piggy-backedafter a visit to the UK - must have been the early 80's I guess, anyway, love the pics :)