Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

27 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

On display with the replica Space Shuttle Independence mounted on top; this is not an operational shuttle but a permanent exhibit.

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Boeing 747-100/200 (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft)

Aircraft

747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) B742

NASA

N905NA

Registration

Airline

NASA

NASA / NA

Manufacturer

Boeing

Insights

Aviation History

This is one of only two Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) built to ferry Space Shuttle Orbiters atop a modified Boeing 747-100. N905NA is famous for its role in historic space missions and the Shuttle program.

Fleet Rarity

1 of only 2 ever built; the only surviving SCA on public display with a Shuttle atop.

Record Flights

Flew ferry/movement flights for all Space Shuttle orbiters, including across the USA and to testing sites.

Safety & Events

N905NA carried famous shuttles such as Endeavour, Discovery, and Enterprise, and is now preserved at Space Center Houston.

Future Outlook

Preserved as a museum exhibit at Space Center Houston, Texas.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7J

Engine

59.6 meters

Wingspan

70.7 meters

Length

9,800 km (with Shuttle Orbiter: reduced)

Range

885 km/h

Speed

Space Shuttle Orbiter ferry (internal config: passenger deck removed)

Capacity

333,400 kg

MTOW

19.3 meters

Height

47,900 lbf (213 kN) per engine

Thrust

Data not standardized, predates ICAO Chapter 3/4

Noise

The Shuttle shown is a non-flight museum replica, not a real orbiter; data cited is mostly for the carrier aircraft.