Space shuttle mock-up to move through streets of Downey ahead of restoration, display | Space

DOWNEY, Calif. (CNS) — It never went into space, but a full-size original space shuttle design prototype built in 1972 as part of Rockwell International’s ultimately successful bid to build NASA’s shuttles will move through the streets of Downey next month ahead of being displayed in a new exhibit hall at the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

The mock-up, measuring 122 feet long and 35 feet tall, was constructed as a prototype for the future shuttles, thus it stands as the first shuttle ever built, although it never left the Earth. As a full-scale model, the mock- up was later used as a fitting tool for instruments and payloads that were being planned for the actual NASA shuttles.

In 2012, it was affectionately given the name “Inspiration,” as the original design model for the space shuttle program.

More than 10 years ago, however, Inspiration was disassembled and placed in storage while plans were considered for a possible permanent future display. Earlier this year, the city of Downey approved plans for a roughly 20,000-square-foot facility expanding the Columbia Memorial Space Center and housing Inspiration and other science-education exhibits.

In advance of that project, which is expected to begin next year, the Inspiration will make a meticulous two-day move spanning three city blocks on Oct. 17 and 18, according to the city and Space Center. The disassembled mock- up will…