1-154-936 - NASA/Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Space Shuttle Orbiter mounted on top of a Boeing 747 carrier aircraft, 1977. The Shuttle Orbiter is often transported this way from landing site to launch site. Here it is being flown prior to early landing tests of the Orbiter, during which it was released from the 747 aircraft and glided into land as it would on return from space. The first landing test took place on 12 August 1977.