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How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Everyone's seen pics of the Shuttle on a 747, and up close it looks massive, but how big is it next to a 737 or an A320? I've heard it described by several people as downright tiny, and almost surprisingly so next to your average single aisle jet. How accurate is this?
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/s ... .jpg?ver=1
There is a size comparison to a 737 on the left of this illustration. Quite similar to a 737.
b.
There is a size comparison to a 737 on the left of this illustration. Quite similar to a 737.
b.
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- WIederling
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Bambel wrote:https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/shuttle-948x1500.jpg?ver=1
There is a size comparison to a 737 on the left of this illustration. Quite similar to a 737.
b.
hehhe,
The two views of Fiona the princess
the use case would demand to compare the Shuttle to some military lifter.
Hold D=4.6m, L=18m compares to the A400M ( thought that is more rectangular ),
payload slightly lower ( well, depending on how you view it and where you want to go)
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Bambel wrote:https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/shuttle-948x1500.jpg?ver=1
There is a size comparison to a 737 on the left of this illustration. Quite similar to a 737.
b.
It's much bigger than a 737, more like a 762 or A310. I shall get my 1:400 scale models out and do some comparison shots if anyone doesn't believe me.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
JannEejit wrote:It's much bigger than a 737, more like a 762 or A310. I shall get my 1:400 scale models out and do some comparison shots if anyone doesn't believe me.
Not even close. I've been fortunate enough to see all 3 shuttles, plus prototype, in person, and there's no way they are remotely close to being the same size as a 762. The shuttle is 122ft long, which is barely 4ft longer than an Embraer E190.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
It's just much bulkier / "fatter" than a 737. The "fuse diameter" is more than a 777, but overall it's not that long and width.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
BAeRJ100 wrote:JannEejit wrote:It's much bigger than a 737, more like a 762 or A310. I shall get my 1:400 scale models out and do some comparison shots if anyone doesn't believe me.
Not even close. I've been fortunate enough to see all 3 shuttles, plus prototype, in person, and there's no way they are remotely close to being the same size as a 762. The shuttle is 122ft long, which is barely 4ft longer than an Embraer E190.
Length is only one unit of the Shuttle's dimensions, it's still way bigger than a 737 or Emb-190. I'll take some pics in a minute now I've dug my scale models out the attic. My 762/A310 comparison may be slightly off the mark now I look at them, but not by much to be fair.
Last edited by JannEejit on Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- oldannyboy
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
...33 metres in length comes to mind, so give or take like a 733 me thinks.?
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- 32andBelow
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
It only sat 4-6 people. How big does it need to be?
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
32andBelow wrote:It only sat 4-6 people. How big does it need to be?
It still managed 30t payload (25t limited on polar orbits, IIRC). It's as large as it needed to be.
Cheers,
Adam
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Here's a few comparison shots using Shuttle, 747 transporter, 767-200, 737-200 and an Embraer E-190 from my 1:400 scale model collection, Granted it's not as big as I remember having not seen it since 1983 when I was a 12 year old, but my memory of it was being a pretty decent sized craft. I reckon you could remove the wings from the 732 and put it in the Shuttle's rear bay, and no that's not a scientific appraisal either... Great craft, sorely missed, I still remember gathering round the tv to see the first launch back in 1981, then the first landing,...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
32andBelow wrote:It only sat 4-6 people. How big does it need to be?
The amount of people that the Shuttle could sit has no relevance to it's size.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
JannEejit wrote:Here's a few comparison shots using Shuttle, 747 transporter, 767-200, 737-200 and an Embraer E-190 from my 1:400 scale model collection, Granted it's not as big as I remember having not seen it since 1983 when I was a 12 year old, but my memory of it was being a pretty decent sized craft. I reckon you could remove the wings from the 732 and put it in the Shuttle's rear bay, and no that's not a scientific appraisal either... Great craft, sorely missed, I still remember gathering round the tv to see the first launch back in 1981, then the first landing,...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
Good photos and great models so now we know what you were doing this morning and I bet it was fun getting those back out from the attic
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
"about the same size and weight as a DC9"
https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/sys ... biter.html
my god. basing the size on something as compared to "1:400" models is hilarious.
https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/sys ... biter.html
my god. basing the size on something as compared to "1:400" models is hilarious.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
It was as long as a 737-700 and as wide as a 747.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
32andBelow wrote:It only sat 4-6 people. How big does it need to be?
The most it fit was 8 with normal crews of 6 or 7
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
airbazar wrote:It was as long as a 737-700 and as wide as a 747.
That's probably the most sensible way of putting it.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
stlgph wrote:"about the same size and weight as a DC9"
https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/sys ... biter.html
my god. basing the size on something as compared to "1:400" models is hilarious.
How so ? As long as the scale is uniform it makes perfect sense.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
JannEejit wrote:Here's a few comparison shots using Shuttle, 747 transporter, 767-200, 737-200 and an Embraer E-190 from my 1:400 scale model collection, Granted it's not as big as I remember having not seen it since 1983 when I was a 12 year old, but my memory of it was being a pretty decent sized craft. I reckon you could remove the wings from the 732 and put it in the Shuttle's rear bay, and no that's not a scientific appraisal either... Great craft, sorely missed, I still remember gathering round the tv to see the first launch back in 1981, then the first landing,...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
Your scale model has the huge tail cone attached that was not part of the mission configuration.
viewtopic.php?t=754439
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Dimensions from Wikipedia:
56.1 m (184.2 ft)
Diameter
8.7 m (28.5 ft)
Mass
2,030 t (4,470,000 lb)
56.1 m (184.2 ft)
Diameter
8.7 m (28.5 ft)
Mass
2,030 t (4,470,000 lb)
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Noray wrote:JannEejit wrote:Here's a few comparison shots using Shuttle, 747 transporter, 767-200, 737-200 and an Embraer E-190 from my 1:400 scale model collection, Granted it's not as big as I remember having not seen it since 1983 when I was a 12 year old, but my memory of it was being a pretty decent sized craft. I reckon you could remove the wings from the 732 and put it in the Shuttle's rear bay, and no that's not a scientific appraisal either... Great craft, sorely missed, I still remember gathering round the tv to see the first launch back in 1981, then the first landing,...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
Your scale model has the huge tail cone attached that was not part of the mission configuration.
viewtopic.php?t=754439
Correct but I don't see what difference that makes to one's ability to perceive the relative size and scale of the craft as a 1:1 model ? The "mission" was generally configured with two huge rockets and a booster tank. Not sure how many 737's you'd need to match that...
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- oldannyboy
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
JannEejit wrote:Here's a few comparison shots using Shuttle, 747 transporter, 767-200, 737-200 and an Embraer E-190 from my 1:400 scale model collection, Granted it's not as big as I remember having not seen it since 1983 when I was a 12 year old, but my memory of it was being a pretty decent sized craft. I reckon you could remove the wings from the 732 and put it in the Shuttle's rear bay, and no that's not a scientific appraisal either... Great craft, sorely missed, I still remember gathering round the tv to see the first launch back in 1981, then the first landing,...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153220517 ... res/316313
Oh wow! Love those models! I think I had one made by Corgi?..
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- oldannyboy
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
airbazar wrote:It was as long as a 737-700 and as wide as a 747.
Well put man!
Indeed "some" are short but damn fat!!!
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
It took over 20 replies before the first penis reference one! Sad. LOL!
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- WIederling
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
JannEejit wrote:Not sure how many 737's you'd need to match that...
Well it does not make much sense to expound on what the Shuttle is and what not when the question
asked indicates that the OP means the actual "Orbiter" craft ( and not the complete system "Shuttle" ).
( The system "Shuttle" being composed of the Orbiter, 1 external fuel tank, 2 x SRB )
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- frmrCapCadet
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
From those models I would say it compares in bulk more like a 747, but much shorter like a 737. Not little.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
so the OP could not have looked at the pictures on this very platform (Shuttle on the back of a Nasa 741 gives a clear indication) or simply googeled his question?
I do wonder about the thread quality of late, but like everyone else, here I am replying to it!
I do wonder about the thread quality of late, but like everyone else, here I am replying to it!
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
Don't forget the people it "sat" also needed to live on board for some weeks.
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- oldannyboy
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Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
F27500 wrote:It took over 20 replies before the first penis reference one! Sad. LOL!
That's because I was being polite today, but the minute anyone makes a reference to size or length my mind immediately -and irremediably- switches itself on 'penis mode'!!!
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
The quick rule of thumb I learned back in the day was the Orbiter was the size of a DC-9, while the whole stack was the size of an A-300.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
EA CO AS wrote:The quick rule of thumb I learned back in the day was the Orbiter was the size of a DC-9, while the whole stack was the size of an A-300.
Didn't I see a graphic that showed the entire stack was as tall as the statue or liberty? Lady Liberty is 307' and the A300 is about 177'. Maybe you meant width?
Cheers
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
nycbjr wrote:EA CO AS wrote:The quick rule of thumb I learned back in the day was the Orbiter was the size of a DC-9, while the whole stack was the size of an A-300.
Didn't I see a graphic that showed the entire stack was as tall as the statue or liberty? Lady Liberty is 307' and the A300 is about 177'. Maybe you meant width?
Cheers
The stack was 184 feet tall.
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
EA CO AS wrote:nycbjr wrote:EA CO AS wrote:The quick rule of thumb I learned back in the day was the Orbiter was the size of a DC-9, while the whole stack was the size of an A-300.
Didn't I see a graphic that showed the entire stack was as tall as the statue or liberty? Lady Liberty is 307' and the A300 is about 177'. Maybe you meant width?
Cheers
The stack was 184 feet tall.
my mistake then!
cheers
Re: How big was the Space Shuttle compared to modern commercial airliners?
nycbjr wrote:EA CO AS wrote:The quick rule of thumb I learned back in the day was the Orbiter was the size of a DC-9, while the whole stack was the size of an A-300.
Didn't I see a graphic that showed the entire stack was as tall as the statue or liberty? Lady Liberty is 307' and the A300 is about 177'. Maybe you meant width?
The statue of Lady Liberty alone is 151 ft tall, including torch. It is 305 ft. including the pedestal. So the statue itself fits fine.
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