Independence Shuttle

The Independence was an X-71 Military Shuttle from the 1998 movie Armageddon. It was the sister shuttle of the X-71 Military Shuttle Freedom. The Independence crashed during it's mission but only a few of the crew survived.

Appearance
The X-71 Military Shuttle Independence is similar to the real-life Space shuttles of NASA, but like the Freedom, it has several major differences:


 * Two additional back fins towards the rear (the Real-life Space Shuttles have only one)
 * Flight Deck is configured differently (One crew deck from appearances in the movie in contrast to the two-level version of its NASA counterpart)
 * Two hatches on the right side near the cockpit (NASA's has only one)
 * Slightly curled-up wing tips for the main delta-shaped wings (NASA's lack it)
 * A cargo ramp that folds downwards to allow its Armadillo drilling vehicle to exit and enter (NASA's lacks it as the cargo hatch opens from the top)
 * Teal gray blue color pattern (NASA's are white)
 * US Air Force signage on the body of the hull (NASA's has United States of America)
 * A Lighting Bolt picture on the main tail fin (NASA's lacks any imagery)
 * A larger Cargo hold for the Armadillo and extra equipment (NASA's are a bit smaller)
 * Radar for helping with navigation through the Asteroid (NASA's lack these)
 * Central elevator lift for going from the Flight deck to the cargo bay or all the way outside of the shuttle (NASA doesn't have this feature)

Crew

 * Colonel Davis (Commander)
 * Tucker (Pilot)
 * Lieutenant Halsey (Munitions Expert for the Independence)
 * AJ Frost (Driller No.1 and primary Armadillo operator)
 * Oscar Choi (Driller No.2 and Geologist for the team)
 * Bear (Real name: J. Otis Curlene Bear) (Driller No.3)
 * Freddie Noonan (Driller No.4)

Film Role
The Independence made its only appearance in the 1998 Film Armageddon. It is first seen during the lift-off sequence. It later goes to the modified MIR Space Station to fuel up for the trip to the Asteroid along with Freedom. It barely escapes in time from the explosion that destroys the station. In the process, the only Cosmonaut on the station Lev Andropov comes on board.

Destruction
After making an Assisted Sling-shot around the Moon with Freedom, Independence makes its way to the deadly Asteroid by coming behind under the assumption that the Lunar gravity would eliminate most of the tail debris.

However, during the approach (including dumping the external boosters for extra maneuverability), it is hit by a piece of the Asteroid causing it to spiral out of control. Seeing what was going to happen, the commander of the Independence Colonel Davis ordered the crew to put on their helmets and lock themselves in the cargo hold.

Seconds later, the shuttle's windows are shattered and both Colonel Davis and Pilot Tucker are sucked out, killing them. While AJ and Lev are able to make their way to the cargo hold, Bear, Freddie, Oscar and Lieutenant Halsey are unable to do so. Oscar is killed by the flying debris that enter the dying shuttle during the ordeal (not getting his helmet on it time). During the chaos, one of the chairs is shot backwards while another is flipped upside down. One of the crew members is seeing barely hanging for dear life in the chaotic flight deck.

On the shuttle Freedom, Harry and his crew could only watch in horror as Independence was destroyed. Seconds after asking if the dying spacecraft was the Independence, one of the dead crew members bounced off the Freedom (either Colonel Davis or Pilot Tucker) giving him the grim answer.

Back on Earth, Mission Control could only accept the grim news that Independence wasn't going to make it. Seconds later, the damaged shuttle crashed onto the Asteroid and broke into multiple pieces. Freddie and Lieutenant Halsey were likely killed during the crash as neither appeared alive after the whole ordeal.

Aftermath
Despite everyone thinking everyone was dead including Grace (AJ's wife-to-be), AJ survived the crash. After getting himself up, he went to find if anyone else survived that to his dismay, Oscar was dead. Moments later, Lev appeared and just as AJ assumed everyone else was dead, Bear's groan got their attention and the two found the driller somehow alive in the remains of the Flight Deck.

After finding Bear and no one else alive, the three survivors found to their relief, the Armadillo assigned to Independence survived the crash. After getting in, AJ proceeded to shoot their way out and they left the shattered spacecraft behind.

Despite it not making it to the Asteroid, the greatest legacy of Independence was that the survivors made their way to the Freedom shuttle and Harry's crew in the nick of time to save the mission and ultimately, save Earth and Mankind.