On September 17, 1976, NASA celebrated Constitution Day during America’s bicentennial by unveiling its first space shuttle orbiter, OV-101, named Enterprise. Originally intended to be called Constitution, the name change came after nearly 100,000 fans of Star Trek petitioned the White House. President Gerald Ford approved the name, expressing a fondness for it.
The rollout ceremony in Palmdale, California, drew hundreds, including Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and cast members. Notable attendees included NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher and actors DeForest Kelley, George Takei, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, and Walter Koenig.
Though Enterprise was not designed for space travel, it completed crucial atmospheric tests that set the stage for future shuttle flights starting in 1981. Today, the orbiter resides at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.
For more details, you can check out NASA’s coverage of the historic rollout.
Credit: NASA
