This Week In Space podcast: Episode 134 —Red Moon Rising

On Episode 134 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik talk with Ben Dickow, executive director and president of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, about a magnificent, full-sized shuttle mockup, its history and future plans.

Many of us have visited the various displays of space shuttles around the US, and it's always a spectacular sight. The shuttle orbiter was huge, and seeing in any configuration is inspirational. Notably, the California Science Center is completing a display of the Endeavor in a launch configuration, which is unique among shuttle installations.

But the very first shuttle mockup ever constructed will soon go on public display in its birthplace in Southern California, the city of Downey. This is where North American Rockwell, the builder of all the shuttles, was located until they were absorbed by Boeing decades ago. It was in the Rockwell facility that the first wood-and-aluminum mockup of the shuttle was built, and it's been stored until this day under the control of the Columbia Memorial Space Center.

Of special interest: besides its uses as a technical simulator, this mockup was what closed the deal between NASA and Rockwell to build the shuttles and inspired many in Congress to support the program.

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Space news of the week

• SpaceX Crew-8 astronaut hospitalized in Pensacola after Dragon splashdown, in 'stable condition'
• Boeing-built communications satellite breaks up in orbit. 'Total loss,' operator says
• India to target moon’s south pole with sample return mission
• Chinese company Deep Blue Aerospace plans to start launching space tourists in 2027
• Benjamin Dickow - NNS.ORG
• Columbia Memorial Space Center
• Full-size mock space shuttle makes first move toward Downey display
• Signed steel beams 'top off' L.A. home for space shuttle Endeavour

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About This Week In Space

This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars? 

Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.