NEWS RELEASES
Astrovan II From Airstream Debuts At IAC
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved through Airstream's website.
JACKSON CENTER, OH — At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), held in Washington, DC, Oct. 21-25, 2019, Boeing introduced the new CST-100 Starliner Astrovan II, which will transport the commercial crews going into space aboard Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft to Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, where manned flights are scheduled to begin in 2020. The Astrovan II is a modified Airstream Atlas Touring Coach, handcrafted by the men and women at Airstream’s production facility in Jackson Center, Ohio, according to an Airstream press release.
The Astrovan II continues a long tradition of collaboration between Airstream and American space exploration. In 1969, NASA commissioned the RV company to produce a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) for the Apollo 11 astronauts. Beginning in 1984, space shuttle crews traveled to the launch pad, aboard a modified Airstream Excella known as the Astrovan. Bob Wheeler, CEO and president of Airstream, commented, “The original Astrovan played an important role in America’s Space Shuttle era. Many will remember seeing that familiar silver bullet exterior heading out to the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center. We’re excited for Astrovan II to continue Airstream’s part in helping put Americans into orbit.” The original Astrovan is currently on display at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex next to the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
For additional information on Astrovans past and present, visit Airstream’s Space webpage.