Space Shuttle Enterprise in Manhattan
historic place
In Manhattan, New York, you can find the Space Shuttle Enterprise, a significant piece of American aerospace history. This prototype orbiter, designated OV-101, was NASA's first space shuttle. It never flew into space, as it was built without engines or a functional heat shield. Instead, Enterprise conducted critical atmospheric test flights in 1977. These tests demonstrated that a reusable winged spacecraft could glide and land, paving the way for later orbital flights. In 2012, Enterprise arrived in New York City on April 27, atop a modified Boeing 747. After a flyover of city landmarks, it landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. In June, it was transported by barge up the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The shuttle was then hoisted onto the USS Intrepid's flight deck, opening to the public on July 19, 2012. On March 13, 2013, the Space Shuttle Enterprise became the first space shuttle listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It remains on display at the Intrepid Museum, marking its foundational role in the space shuttle program.