Space Shuttle Body Flap
Dec. 24, 2024
Shuttle body flap | The body flap provides thermal protectio… | Flickr Space shuttle Challenger's body flap washed up on Cocoa Beach, FL. | Space disasters, Space shuttle challenger, Shuttle challenger Chris G on X: "Challenger launches w/ Atlantis' body flap (circled) in 1985. An issue w/ Challenger's prompted NASA to swap them to keep Challenger flying. Never switched back before 51L, Atlantis Daniel Simon - Hinge of the Space Shuttle body flap. Impressive to see all individual tiles. The body flap thermally shields the three main engines during entry and provides the orbiter with BJones on X: "During their lifetime the Space Shuttle Orbiters were no strangers to parts swapping. To keep Challenger flying on schedule they swapped body flaps with Atlantis. So when you visit Never Tell Me The Odds: 1-in-9 on STS-1 - Astronomical Returns | Space Shuttle Body Flap