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Space Shuttle Inspiration

Space Shuttle mockup in the United States

About

Space Shuttle Inspiration is a full-scale mockup of a Space Shuttle orbiter built in 1972 by North American Rockwell to support the development and approval of the Space Shuttle program. Constructed to match the general dimensions of actual orbiters, the mockup was used to demonstrate the shuttle concept to NASA and the United States Congress, and to assist in early design work.

After its initial use, the mockup remained in storage for several decades before being placed on temporary display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, California in 2012. It was officially named Inspiration later that year. As of 2025, the Center is working to build a 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) expansion building to place the mockup on permanent display.

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