Discovery Space Shuttle Model Spacecraft: A True Work of Art

Warplanes brings you a great line of NASA's latest aircraft and spacecraft. You can choose from our wide variety of rockets, satellites, space probes and other transports, including fictional spacecraft as depicted on television series and movies. Our scaled model spacecraft, both manned and unmanned space vehicles, just like Space Shuttle Discovery are brought to life by our highly competent team of craftsmen and artisans.

The Discovery Space Shuttle is one of the many spacecraft models that boast of accuracy and preciseness in every detail, including the Space Shuttle Discovery spacecraft model's paint scheme and markings, providing you with utmost satisfaction. This Shuttle Discovery model spacecraft will liven up any room and spacecraft enthusiast will be astonished for its impressively grandeur attributes. This Space Shuttle Discovery model spacecraft is unquestionably a fine gift, perfect for just about anyone.

Space Shuttle Discovery History:

Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in NASA's Space Transportation System fleet. First flown in 1984, Discovery was the third orbiter to become operational at Kennedy Space Center and is now the oldest shuttle in service. It has performed both research and International Space Station (ISS) assembly missions. The spacecraft takes its name from previous exploration ships named Discovery, primarily HMS Discovery, the sailing ship that accompanied famous explorer James Cook on his third and final major voyage.

Lessons learned in the construction and testing of Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger were applied to Discovery. At rollout, its weight was 6,870 pounds lighter than Columbia. In 1995, Discovery underwent a nine-month Orbiter Maintenance Down Period (OMDP) in Palmdale, California. It was outfitted with a fifth set of cryogenic tanks and an external airlock to support missions to the ISS. In 2002, the spacecraft underwent another OMDP. This one lasted over two years and provided 99 upgrades and 88 special tests, including a number of changes to improve flight safety.

Discovery was the shuttle that launched the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990 during STS-31, and conducted the second and third Hubble service missions. It has also launched the Ulysses probe and three Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. It has been chosen twice as the return to flight orbiter, first in 1988 after the Challenger disaster, and then for twin missions in July 2005 and July 2006 after the Columbia disaster. On October 29, 1998, Discovery carried Project Mercury astronaut John Glenn back into space during STS-95. He was 77 at the time, making him the oldest human being to venture into space.