NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise: The Story Behind Orbiter OV-101

On September 17, 1976—America’s Bicentennial Constitution Day—NASA unveiled its first Space Shuttle orbiter, OV-101, to the public. NASA had originally planned to name the vehicle Constitution, but a letter-writing campaign changed the agency’s plans. Nearly 100,000 Star Trek fans asked the White House to name the shuttle Enterprise, after the fictional spacecraft featured in the television series.

In a memo, President Gerald Ford directed NASA to name the shuttle Enterprise, saying he was “part of the name.” The name had already been celebrated throughout U.S. naval history, having been given to the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a World War II aircraft carrier, and a U.S. warship during the Revolutionary War.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise’s Historic Unveiling

Hundreds of invited guests attended the induction ceremony at Rockwell’s facility in Palmdale, California. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and several cast members also took part. From left to right in this photo are NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher; DeForest Kelley, who played Dr. “Bones” McCoy; George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu; James Doohan, who played Chief Engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott; Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura; Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock; series creator Gene Roddenberry; U.S. Congressman Don Fuqua (D-FL); and Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Chekov.

Enterprise’s Role in the Space Shuttle Program

Although the Space Shuttle Enterprise was not designed to fly in space, it conducted a critical atmospheric test flight in 1981. The test helped pave the way for the shuttle program’s first spaceflight.

Today, the orbiter is on display at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

Learn more about the historic unveiling of NASA’s first space shuttle, the Enterprise.

Credit: NASA