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Antique Pedaler · 02-07-2003, 05:59 PM

Does anyone have any information/history/equipment aboard/etc. on the NASA Airstream used to transport shuttle crews. There's a photo in the current Newsweek Magazine, pages 30 - 31 of the Columbia Crew boarding it before lift off.

Jay Guerin

ViewRVs · 02-07-2003, 07:58 PM

The best I can guess is a modified 1979 or 1981 Airstream Excella motor home. It was custom ordered by NASA. Every shuttle crew has ridden in it to the pad. The first shuttle launch was in 1981 and it was used by Crippen/Young for the first flight. It stays at the Kennedy Space Center. I have three pics on my site.

PeterH-350LE · 02-07-2003, 08:53 PM

makes you wonder who is in charge of R&Ring the A/c's on the roof. The lower picture without A/C's is from 1998.

Rog0525 · 02-07-2003, 09:09 PM

It's interesting to note that NASA also contracted Airstream to build a mobile quarantine facility (MQF) which temporarily
housed Neil Armstrong and others after their historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission..
Info and other photos:
http://www.business.uab.edu/cache/hirasaki.htm

Chas · 02-08-2003, 07:47 AM

It is good to know they are still using it, so much for typical government agency waste. But again it is the classic design.

No telling how many Winnebagos or other S.O.B.'s ( some other brands) they would have gone through if they had started using them.

Chas

lynn · 02-08-2003, 02:36 PM

NASA has three Airstream Classic motorhomes ,I believe there were atleast three Quarantine units made. Two of them are in museums.

troubleskeep · 07-13-2005, 01:58 PM

Nice picture in the news today. While the shuttle sits waiting it's next turn for fame and fortune, Airstream sits front and center.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...RIT&SECTION=US

Coastalview · 07-13-2005, 02:25 PM

This one is on the USS Hornet Museum. Jeff
http://www.airforums.com/photo...500&userid=649

markdoane · 07-13-2005, 02:34 PM

On Fox News they said the official name is "Astro Van".

silverhawk · 07-13-2005, 04:31 PM

That Airstream M.H. (Astro Van) received a lot of quality AIR time today, on CSNBC.
They showed it loading up, dropping off the crew at the pad and then reloading and redropping off the crew at the ready room, after the scrub. They also showed chopper views of it rolling down the access road that the shuttle transport vehicle uses, as the crew were taken away from the launch pad. I enjoyed the Airstream time but would have rather seen a safe launch. Next time I hope.

Westfalia · 07-13-2005, 04:44 PM

I also saw it today in the NASA channel, as it was returning to the launch pad to pick up the crew. It looked like the driver was on the gas!

scf31 · 08-04-2005, 06:17 PM

Is it real or is it a clone ?http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...WA%3AITStrange rear end cap,

LowellN · 08-04-2005, 07:07 PM

It's a clone. You can see where they removed the WBCCI numbers on the front of the trailer.

scf31 · 08-04-2005, 07:13 PM

Good Catch !!!

SafeHarbor · 08-04-2005, 08:29 PM

Okay, what is the flat door thing on the back, and who would go to such trouble to fake something like this?

LowellN · 08-04-2005, 08:35 PM

The one that scf31 is talking about is the one from the E-bay link below. It is definately not a real NASA vehicle. The one you are talking about (with the flat door) is the real NASA quarantine vehicle, used in 1969 Apollo mission. The one in the E-bay ad is a 1973.

**Janet H** · 08-04-2005, 09:03 PM

OK - I reread the ad and strictly speaking - the seller isn't saying this is THE NASA trailer - although it certainly is implied...

From the ad:

1973 Airstream Trailer with NASA Mobile Quarantine logo
Vehicle Description

Here is a nice 29' Land Yacht trailer with a colorful history.
Ya - I bet!

It has NASA logo's on both sides with " National Aeronautics Space Administration Quarantine Unit Manned Spacecraft Center" . It is the same lettering and logo used in the Apolllo missions for the four quarantine trailers that the astronauts used after each moon mission. On the right side has a MTM ( Mission to Mars) painted logo.
Doesn't say who put em there!

In 1997 the Public School System purchased it and put it into service as a mobile Mission to Mars lab for kids. It was not used for more than a year and put into storage where we purchased it from.
Read: smells really odd - like used preschool inside...

We have only been able to trace it's history back 10 years and can not verify its original owerership.
Uh huh. But I'm almost certian space guys slept here..

It lives in Orlando, Florida and survived all 4 of the 2004 hurricane with only one significant dent at the rear on the left side (it did not break through to the interior or create a leak). The exterior aluminum is in OK condition with scuffs, scrapes, and abrasions. The roof-top air conditioner works but the cover is missing. I have not hooked up the fridge or stove but believe they are in working order. The kitchen and front half of the trailer is primarily intact. The rear area interior has been removed leaving only the walls, ceiling, and floor, no bathroom.
What does primarily in tact mean??? No Bath = no plumbing probs - space men don't need to pee..?

It is very towable, however the tires are old and should probably be replaced for traveling more than a short distance.
But they are good enough to tow off my property - sellers warranty ends at property line.

Please check into what shipping / delivery costs would be to your area prior to placing your bid. It is VERY expensive to ship overseas.
For small additional fee I can push it into the harbor - it might float to your shore.....

Gosh - I think I'll bid now.

scf31 · 08-05-2005, 04:11 AM

It was a botched attemp to remove the WBCCI numbers, Hell , the whole thing looks botched,maybe good for a hunting base camp,

NASAGuy · 07-14-2006, 01:15 PM

We have 3 Airstreams still in service at NASA. They are all 28ft 1983's that were purchased for use in the Shuttle program. Two of the systems are at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the third is at Dryden Flight Research Center in California. One of the vehicles, called the AstroVan is used to carry Shuttle crews to the launch site. The other two were outfitted for Landing support called "Convoy Command Vehicles". In 2004, the KSC Convoy Command Vehicle was replaced with a Winnebago (to allow for a larger landing support workforce) and we refurbed the unit as a mobile science laboratory called the Telescience Lab Airstream. It is outfitted with a 30ft telescoping mast, an inmotion TV system, a 1.2M auto pointing satellite dish and lots of communications and computer gear.

The Astronaut Van Airstream is outfitted mostly with seats along either side to support a shuttle crew of 8 and their airpacks. The back drops down and turns into a set of steps and ramp. The Telescience Lab Airstream is outfitted with a table that seats 3, a couch with 3 more work locations and desk areas for the driver and passenger locations.

2airishuman · 07-14-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NASAGuy

In 2004, the KSC Convoy Command Vehicle was replaced with a Winnebago........

oh the agony and embarrassment of it all!

just kidding.

it is still a u.s. made product...right from corn country!

hey if you really are a nasa guy it's great to have ya on the forums....

maybe you could post some interior photos some time for us airstream junkies.....i'd love to see the inside of those classic mohos used for the space crew...

i'm sure others will have questions about the a/s units still in service, but i've got 2 more specific nasa questions for ya.....

1. is it ok to stir my tang with a fisher space pen?

2. why do the space guys need tempurpedic beds?

cheers and welcome to the forums!
2air'