Space Shuttle Inspiration

The mockup was constructed by North American Rockwell in 1972 at its facility in Downey, California. Designed to match the approximate size and shape of a Space Shuttle orbiter, it was presented to NASA and the United States Congress to support approval of the Space Shuttle program. Because of this, it's often called "the first Space Shuttle". After the approval of the project, Rockwell used it as an engineering mockup, and it was critical tool for the design of hydraulic systems and cable harnesses for the production orbiters, as well as for test-fitting flight hardware.{{Cite episode |title=Space Shuttle |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/space-shuttle-jraw1j/ |series=Lost LA |series-link=Lost L.A. |last=Masters |first=Nathan |author-link=Nathan Masters |station=PBS SoCal |date=January 7, 2025 |season=7 |number=1 |access-date=January 19, 2025}}

Following its use, the mockup was abandoned at the Downey facility, which was later acquired by Boeing. After Boeing closed the site in 1999, the mockup was wrapped in Tyvek sheeting and relocated within the facility to accommodate a film studio. When the site began redevelopment, efforts were made to find a permanent home for the shuttle.

In July 2012, the developers of the property arranged for the mockup to be placed on temporary display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, located on a portion of the former Rockwell site.{{Cite magazine |last=Goss |first=Heather |date=June 14, 2012 |title=Downey Will Display Shuttle Mock-Up |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/downey-will-display-shuttle-mock-up-122149609/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229232059/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/downey-will-display-shuttle-mock-up-122149609/ |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |magazine=Air & Space/Smithsonian |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}{{Cite news |last=Hennigan |first=W. J. |date=June 15, 2012 |title=Meet 'the original shuttle' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jun-15-la-fi-forgotten-space-shuttle-20120615-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726111927/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jun-15-la-fi-forgotten-space-shuttle-20120615-story.html |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite news |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=July 12, 2012 |title=Original 1972 space shuttle mockup moved outdoors for Downey, CA display |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-071212a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726112208/http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-071212a.html |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |work=collectSPACE}} The mockup was officially named Inspiration on September 24, 2012, as it was the inspiration for all future orbiters.{{Cite news |date=September 25, 2012 |title=Council chooses 'Inspiration' as name for space shuttle mock-up |url=http://downeybeat.com/2012/09/council-chooses-inspiration-as-name-for-space-shuttle-mock-up-12779/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927080200/http://downeybeat.com/2012/09/council-chooses-inspiration-as-name-for-space-shuttle-mock-up-12779/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2012 |work=DowneyBeat.com}}

In May 2013, the City of Downey received a $3 million federal loan to construct a community center to house the mockup. However, the city council later voted to return it to storage pending the hiring of an executive director to lead the project.{{Cite news |last=Yee |first=Greg |date=September 1, 2017 |orig-date=March 12, 2014 |title=Downey space shuttle mock-up's fate rests with yet-to-be-hired executive director |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/government-and-politics/20140312/downey-space-shuttle-mock-ups-fate-rests-with-yet-to-be-hired-executive-director |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208090541/https://www.presstelegram.com/2014/03/12/downey-space-shuttle-mock-ups-fate-rests-with-yet-to-be-hired-executive-director/ |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=April 15, 2014 |work=Press-Telegram}}{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Christian |date=December 19, 2013 |title=Downey's space shuttle mock-up going back in storage |url=http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/article/downeys-space-shuttle-mock-up-going-back-in-storage/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183454/http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/article/downeys-space-shuttle-mock-up-going-back-in-storage/ |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2014 |work=The Downey Patriot |volume=12 |issue=36}} On March 4–5, 2014, the structure was disassembled and moved to the city’s maintenance yard.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Christian |date=March 6, 2014 |title=Downey's space shuttle goes back in storage |url=http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/article/downeys-space-shuttle-goes-back-in-storage/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416183731/http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/article/downeys-space-shuttle-goes-back-in-storage/ |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=April 15, 2014 |work=The Downey Patriot |volume=12 |issue=47}}

A 2009 grant proposal estimated the cost of restoration and a permanent facility at approximately {{US$|1880000|2006|round=-4}}, divided roughly equally between the two efforts.

As of assessment, the structure showed significant deterioration. Its plywood outer shell exhibited buckling and delamination; paper-based interior components were disintegrating; and adhesives and plastics were discolored or embrittled. Clear plastic ceiling panels had developed cracks and were partially detached.{{Cite news |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=June 25, 2012 |title=Original 1972 space shuttle mockup going on display |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-062512a.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530122950/http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-062512a.html |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2014 |work=collectSPACE}}

On October 17, 2024, the Columbia Memorial Space Center transported the mockup approximately {{convert|1/3|mi}} to a temporary storage site, with plans to fully renovate it. The center announced a fundraising goal of {{US$|50000000|2024|round=-4}} to construct a {{convert|29000|sqft}} exhibition facility, scheduled for completion in 2026.{{Cite web |last=Campa |first=Andrew J. |date=October 17, 2024 |title='This is where it all happened.' Downey's space shuttle prototype begins move to future home |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-17/downey-space-shuttle-model-moves-to-site-near-future-home |access-date=January 19, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Original space shuttle mock-up moves through Downey for restoration |url=https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/original-space-shuttle-mock-up-moves-through-downey-for-restoration |access-date=January 19, 2025 |website=The Downey Patriot}}

• Space Shuttle Independence, the full-scale mock-up made from blueprints, used as an exhibit at Space Center Houston
• Space Shuttle Pathfinder, a fit-test mock-up

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.columbiaspacescience.org/ Columbia Space Science site]

{{Space Shuttle}}

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Category:Space Shuttle tourist attractions

Category:Downey, California

Category:Tourist attractions in Los Angeles County, California

Category:Replica spacecraft