The OV-104 Atlantis was NASA's fourth space-rated shuttle. It maiden voyage was Oct. 3, 1985. Besides various defense flights one of the missions included the launch of the Galileo interplanetary probe to Jupiter in October 1989. Having learned from previous orbiters the Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger NASA replaced the individual heat tiles with large thermal protection blankets. This was not only safer but enabled construction to occur in about half the time of previous models.
Named after the Schooner Atlantis the Atlantis pioneered the Shuttle-Mir missions flying the first 7 missions to the Russian space station. Atlantis also delivered components and payloads to the International Station.
Our Atlantis Space Shuttle model arrives completely assembled and has an attractive base for display. This authentic, extraordinary replica of the original spacecraft has been faithfully reproduced. Each model is meticulously crafted and painted following exact blueprint details of the original spacecraft. The end result is a handsome, collectible keepsake to be admired and enjoyed.
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