NASA's Super Guppy Arrives in Huntsville
- 10 years ago
Residents in Huntsville may have gotten an awesome view in the sky. NASA’s Super Guppy plane recently touched town in Alabama with a crucial piece of equipment.
Residents in Huntsville may have gotten an awesome view in the sky. NASA’s Super Guppy plane recently touched town in Alabama with a crucial piece of equipment.
According to NASA officials, the aircraft was carrying a cryogenic fuel tank that will be used for what is being called ‘game changing’ testing. The composite rocket fuel tank is reportedly one of the largest ever made, measuring 18 feet in diameter.
The tank was manufactured at the Boeing Developmental Center, located in Washington. It is being inspected and prepared for testing in Huntsville at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
As far as the testing phase goes, the facility will check the tank’s response to high temperature and amounts of pressure. If successful, it will be used to replace traditional metal rocket fuel tanks.
The massive Super Guppy served as the perfect aircraft for the delivery, as it has a huge hinged nose that opens more than 200 degrees to allow massive cargo to be moved out.
NASA obtained the aircraft from the European Space Agency. It has the ability to carry cargo weighing over 26 tons. The cargo compartment measures 25 feet wide, 25 feet tall and111 feet long.
Residents in Huntsville may have gotten an awesome view in the sky. NASA’s Super Guppy plane recently touched town in Alabama with a crucial piece of equipment.
According to NASA officials, the aircraft was carrying a cryogenic fuel tank that will be used for what is being called ‘game changing’ testing. The composite rocket fuel tank is reportedly one of the largest ever made, measuring 18 feet in diameter.
The tank was manufactured at the Boeing Developmental Center, located in Washington. It is being inspected and prepared for testing in Huntsville at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
As far as the testing phase goes, the facility will check the tank’s response to high temperature and amounts of pressure. If successful, it will be used to replace traditional metal rocket fuel tanks.
The massive Super Guppy served as the perfect aircraft for the delivery, as it has a huge hinged nose that opens more than 200 degrees to allow massive cargo to be moved out.
NASA obtained the aircraft from the European Space Agency. It has the ability to carry cargo weighing over 26 tons. The cargo compartment measures 25 feet wide, 25 feet tall and111 feet long.