Space Shuttle Mockup OV-001

Before Columbia launched on its first mission in 1981, a full size and to-scale space shuttle stood on Downey’s hallowed ground. Built by North American Rockwell (now Boeing) in 1972, the 122 foot-long by 35-feet tall wooden mockup was built as part of the bid for NASA’s space shuttle program. After securing the contract, Downey’s assembly plant held on to the mockup and used it as a fitting tool for instruments and payloads that were being built for the actual orbiters. During congressional and astronaut visits, it also made a great public relations and visual aid. The model remained in Rockwell’s design and engineering room until the Downey plant closed in 1999. The facility was to be remodeled into a movie studio and the mockup was put into storage.