The Space Shuttle
Discovery was the third of five reusable NASA orbiters, logging 39 launches and
landings between 1984 and 2011—the most flights of any spacecraft in history.
Perhaps its greatest accomplishment was the April 25, 1990 deployment of the
Hubble Space Telescope ("HST") which revolutionized astronomy and astrophysics,
particularly our understanding of the age and expansion of the universe. With
characteristics of a rocket (for vertical launch) and a glider aircraft (for
landings), space shuttles were the workhorses of America's space program at the
turn of the 21st Century and were critical to the construction and maintenance
of the ISS (International Space Station).
Now, you can build this iconic
orbiter and imagine yourself participating in its signature mission to further
the work of exploration and scientific discovery in launching the Hubble
telescope. Ugears' NASA Space Shuttle Discovery model is actually a remarkable
three-in-one: orbiter, stand, and satellite. The Shuttle is a 1:96 scale model
of Discovery, with two cargo bays that open to reveal the HST model, which
features movable solar panels and an aperture door. The Shuttle's front and rear
bays open independently for storing or launching the telescope. To open the
front cargo bay, turn the wheel near the cabin in the direction of the arrow
marked "Open." A similar wheel on the tail section opens and closes the rear
cargo bay. Place the telescope on the Shuttle's robotic arm for deployment and
spin the arm using a dial located on the belly of the orbiter.
Specifications:
Model size: 13.2x8.9x11.4 in Package
size: 14.7x6.7x2 in Number of parts: 315 Level: Hard Assembly Time: 6
hours Recommended Age: 14+ Kit weight: 1.55 lbs
;)