NASA Unveils Enterprise Orbiter on Constitution Day

VERA Brief

AI-generated. Grounded in the article and its cited sources.

NASA unveiled its first space shuttle orbiter, OV-101, on September 17, 1976. Initially planned to be named Constitution, it was renamed Enterprise after a public campaign.

Key facts

• NASA publicly revealed its first space shuttle orbiter on September 17, 1976.
• The orbiter was initially designated OV-101 and planned to be named Constitution.
• A public campaign led to the vehicle being renamed Enterprise.
• The unveiling coincided with Constitution Day and America's bicentennial year.
• This event was a significant milestone for the Space Shuttle program.