What is Space Shuttle Enterprise?
[[Image:Enterprise free flight.jpg|thumb|220px|Enterprise on a test flight in 1977 ]] [[Image:Enterprise gross.jpg|thumb|220px|Test flight 1977]] The '''Space Shuttle Enterprise''' (OV-101) is a spacecraft used by [[NASA]] for testing of the space shuttles. Enterprise was built without engines and without the heat protection system needed for it to travel into space and return to the [[atmosphere]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.spacetoday.org/SpcShtls/SpcShtlStories.html |title=Space Today Online - Space Shuttle Stories |work=spacetoday.org |accessdate=18 November 2010 }}</ref> Enterprise began being built in June 4, 1974, and was completed on September 17, 1976.<ref name=soe/> Enterprise was used for flight tests in 1977.<ref name=nasa/> Scientists wanted to test how the shuttle could be transported on top of a [[Boeing 747]]. They also did three test manned test flights with the shuttle still joined to the Boeing. When these test were finished they did another five tests with the shuttle flying without engines like a [[glider]].<ref name=soe/> The pilots practiced landing the shuttle at the Edwards Airforce Base. The pilots were [[astronaut]] Gordon Fullerton, [[Apollo 13]] astronaut [[Fred Haise]], Joe Engle and Dick Truly.<ref name=soe>{{Cite web |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html |title=Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise (OV-101) |work=science.ksc.nasa.gov |accessdate=18 November 2010 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192118/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/enterprise.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the test flights, the Enterprise was used for vibration tests at NASA's [[Marshall Space Flight Center]] in [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. After all the tests were finished, some parts of the Enterprise were used in the building of the other shuttles.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.astronautix.com/craft/entprise.htm |title=Enterprise |work=astronautix.com |accessdate=24 November 2010 }}</ref> The