4649

Space Shuttle External Tank Nose Cone Assembly

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Space Shuttle External Tank Nose Cone Assembly

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Auction Date:2018 Oct 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) Nose Cone Assembly complete with aerospike. The assembly represented the leading edge of the Space Shuttle/ET/Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) assembly from launch to orbit and provided a means for reducing aerodynamic drag during ascent. While on the launch pad, the Nose Cone was covered by a Vent Hood (referred to informally as the ‘Beanie Cap’). The hood, which recovered gaseous oxygen vented through ducting routed from the External Tank via the nose cone was one of the last items retracted from the flight vehicle prior to Shuttle launch.

The aerospike metal tip on this nose cone provided an aerodynamic transition for the ET structure as it punched through the atmosphere and also served as a conductor for electric field dissipation to reduce lightning strike hazards during ascent. In addition, the aerospike incorporates an altitude ascent sensor which supplied data to the Space Shuttle's onboard flight computers to calculate engine throttling.

This variant of the nose cone is of the type employed during early flights of Shuttle Transport System (STS) which used the heavier Standard Weight Tank (SWT) and is fabricated from aluminum with an ablative liner to protect the structure from thermal loads (frictional heating) during ascent; NASA subsequently developed lighter weight tanks and modified the nose cone to carbon phenolic exterior construction. Diameter is approximately 58?, with a height of 43?, and an estimated weight of 65 pounds.

Truly rare as the only other known remaining examples of Shuttle ET nose cones are on static displays in national institutions.

Due to size, this item will require custom crating and shipping.