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The forgotten space shuttle

Louis Atwell of the Downey Public Works Department walks by mock-up of the space shuttle.

Louis Atwell of the Downey Public Works Department walks by mock-up of the space shuttle.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Sitting in a warehouse in Downey, under a coat of dust and waves of plastic sheeting, is a full-scale mock-up of the space shuttle built in 1972 by shuttle manufacturer Rockwell. Full story

Rocket booster tubes

Tom Messmer, Senior Vice President of Downey Studios prepares to pull himself up onto a catwalk in the front part of the Space Shuttle mock-up as gigantic rocket booster tubes loom behind him at Downey Studios.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Space shuttle mock-up cockpit

Aaron Messmer examines the cockpit of a mock-up of the space shuttle in a warehouse at Downey Studios.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Instrument panel

Interior instrument panel inside cockpit on mock-up of the space shuttle.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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The hatch

Exterior hatch is opened on the space shuttle mock-up, which has been stored at a warehouse in Downey.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Vistors to space shuttle mock-up

The Downey warehouse that holds the space shuttle mock-up has no water or power.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

The nose

Aaron Messmer walks outside the mock-up of the space shuttle in Downey.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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