Important sale Info.

• Paypal: I can only ship to the U.S. confirmed address. No Exceptions.
• Combined Shipping Discounts: Each additional unit is only $1.25 each.
• Sales to Florida, 7.5% sales tax to be added.
  
• PLEASE read the entirelistingbefore committing to a purchase.

RETAIL: $66.00 // OUR PRICE: $48.99

Product Overview and Specs.
Shuttle between the Earth and Space
It took billions of dollars to launch various artificial sattelites and spaceships. But all of these things were discarded after one-time use. This was too uneconomical and made it rather difficult to utilize space for human beings. The space shuttle is a new means of transportation devised to solve the problem and promote space development more economically. The shuttle means a bus, truck, train, etc. making frequent trips back and forth. The space shuttle, as the name implies, is a linear between the Earth and space and is often called \"space ferry\"...

Space Shuttle
The space shuttle basically comprises an orbiter, external fuel tank (ET) and two solid fuel rocket boosters (SRB). The orbiter plays the most important role, while the external fuel tank and rocket boosters are means for sending the orbiter into space. When the space shuttle is launched, the external fuel tank carries one rocket booster on each side and the orbiter on its back. The orbiter detaches the external fuel tank and rocket boosters on the way and performs various duties in space. It comes back to the Earth and undergoes maintenance and repair. Then, it is launched again with an external fuel tank and rocket boosters. At the time of launching, the whole space shuttle is about 56 meters long and weighs about 2,000 tons. It takes off with a thrust nearly 3,000 tons by fully operating the two rocket boosters and the three main engines of the orbiter.

Particulars of Orbiter
The Orbiter, which is the most important constituent of the space shuttle, is a spaceship shaped like a stocky passenger plane with a delta wing. The overall length is 37 meters and the span is 23.7 meters. After reentry into the atmosphere, the orbiter can glide down and make a landing unlike conventional spaceships. After maintenance and repair, it can be launched again.

Most of the surface of the orbiter is covered with tiles made of silica of very high purity. These tiles are classified into two groups. One for high temperature and the other for low temperature, and these are used accordingly. Parts which become extremely hot such as the nose and the front edge of the wing are covered with heat resistant material of reinforced carbon. These heat resistant materials protect the orbiter from heat of friction which exceeds 1,400 degrees celcius in some parts at the time of launching or reentry into the atmosphere. Thus, they make it possible to use the orbiter no less than 50 or 100 times.

The fuselage of the orbiter is partitioned into the cockpit and crew compartment in front, payload compartment at the center for carrying cargo, and engine room at the rear. The crew are four to seven. In addition to two pilots and one mission controller who controls the flight plan, the orbiter can carry four scientists and payload controllers who load and unload cargo for operation and experiments in space. This is a characteristic feature of the orbiter not ever seen in conventional spaceships. Furthermore, the scientists need only a few weeks training before getting in the orbiter. No space suit is needed inside it and they can act in ordinary clothes.

The payload compartment is of a cylindrical shape 4.5 meters in diameter and has a cargo rack 18 meters long. Its top consists of large doors which open right and left from the center. Various things are put in this compartment. the maximum capacity is 29.25 tons.

From Exploration to Utilization of Space

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union succeeded in launching Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite in the world. And on January 31, 1958, the United States launched Explorer I. Thus human beings took the first step to the advance into space. Early in the 1960\'s, manned space flights were repeated with the Russian Vostok and American Mercury spaceships as the start. In 1969, Project Apollo at last placed astronauts on the moon. Human beings tried to send space probes to other planets. To begin with, they were sent to Mars and Venus which are near to the Earth. The next targets included Mercury and Jupiter, and Saturn and Uranus which are very far from the Earth, and even the outside of the solar system. At the same time as such challenges to unknown space, a large number of meteorological sattellites and communication satellites were launched. And in the 1970\'s, the Skylab Project of the United States and the Soyuz and Salyut spaceships of the Soviet Union let astronauts stay in space for a long time and make observations and experiments in the fields of astronomy, chemistry, biology, etc. While the challenges to space and explorations of it were continued, attempts were made to utilize space for human life and some of them have been already successful. To promote the utilization of space further, the Space Shuttle Project was started in 1972 by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)of the United States. Great hopes are entertained of the project which will open a new era of space.

NASA\'s spacecrafts are currently used for human spaceflight missions. The Orbiter iscommonly used as a means of transportation for astronauts and is also used for delivery ofscientific equipment, satellites, and so on. The Space Shuttle is well-known around the world,and gets plenty of attention in Japan thanks to the exploits of Japanese Astronauts Mr. MamoruMori and Ms. Chiaki Mukai. Mr. Mori is a veteran of two space flights and trained and worked asa Payload Specialist. Ms. Mukai has also taken part in two space flights as a Payload Specialist,and is famous for being the first Japanese woman to go into space.

Specification

• Scale : 1/100
• Construction type : Assembly kit
• Photo-etch parts : Not included
• Decals : Included
• Special feature 1 : This is a 1/100 scale assembly kit model of a space shuttle orbiter
• Special feature 2 : Length: 372.5mm, Width: 238mm. The space shuttle orbiter model has been made in cooperation with Rockwell International
• Special feature 3 : The latest markings as well as the heat resistant tiles, and cockpit windows etc for space shuttles Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor, have been accurately reproduced with marking decals
• Special feature 4 : The flight deck interior, main engine, and underbody have a detailed finish
• Special feature 5 : The payload cargo bay which has an open/closed type door, also has a removable space lab included
• Special feature 6 : The payload doors interior has metallic parts for the radiators
• Special feature 7 : The Rudder/Speed Brake moves the same way as the actual Space Shuttle Orbiter. Also, the main engines nozzle can change directions
• Special feature 8 : Comes with a display stand allowing you to choose from a landing or flying state
• Special feature 9 : Comes with 2 astronaut figurines which adds to the atmosphere of the diorama

Payment Information

I accept Paypal.com (VISA, M.C., AmEx, Discover, E-Check, etc.)******STOP & READ: For PayPal payments, we can only ship to the confirmed Paypal address.
- NO EXCEPTIONS. This is for your safety and our safety.
- We only ship to the USA confirmed address on your PayPal account.

Shipping Information

Shipping Information (domestic U.S.)
$12.00 UPS Ground or USPS Parcel 1-5 Days*

* Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, PO Box, APO, FPO - No additional charge, your shipment will go out USPS First Class Mail and in some cases might take longer for delivery.

COMBINED SHIPPING INFORMATION
I am happy to combine items together for shipping purposes but please read the following: does not have a very good shipping calculator. If you\'re buying multiple quantities of the same item then it works but if you\'re buying different items then it becomes a problem. This item may cost you an extra $1.25 in shipping but then I have some items that are only an extra 50 cents to ship. There\'s no way for me to control this through the automated system so I have to send invoices manually instead. Please wait for me to complete the checkout for you if the total doesn\'t seem correct to you. I can\'t refund shipping charges after you have paid them due to the fact that both and PayPal charge me fees on the shipping charges.

About Us & Contact Info.

So you found your way to HobbyMC! Hobby M.C., short for Hobby Monstro-City, is an online hobby and toy retailer. We\'ve been in business for a little over 12 years. We strive to carry good quality products that won\'t break easily and we pride ourselves on being responsive to our customer\'s needs. Mostly, we want to sell products that are safe and fun. We have plenty of experience with toys (we were kids too a long time ago).

Warranty: This item is fully warranted against defects by Tamiya. If you receive this item and there is a defect please contact me immediately.In Stock Guarantee: Items are GUARANTEED to be in stock.Shipping Guarantee: If your order is paid for by 3pm EST it is GUARANTEED to ship SAME-DAY!

Contact Us: We\'re available from 10am to 6pm EST on Monday through Friday to answer your questions at (850) 322-5442. You may also send a message through during the week or weekend. Emails are answered same-day!

I work hard to make sure my customers are satisfied. If there is ever a problem I am happy to work with you to resolve it to your satisfaction.

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