Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is a specially modified Boeing 747 used to transport NASA’s space shuttles from landing sites back to their launch facilities or other locations. The shuttle is mounted on top of the aircraft using special attachment points, allowing it to be carried safely through the air. This method was used because the shuttles were too large and fragile to fly on conventional aircraft. The SCA enabled efficient relocation of the shuttles, especially when they returned after missions, helping NASA manage logistics and recovery operations effectively.