| X-71 Space Shuttle | |
|---|---|
 The X-71 Space Shuttle | |
|
Source |
Armageddon |
|
Classification |
Shuttle |
|
Weapons |
None |
|
Engines |
Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), 2x Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) |
|
Shields |
None |
|
Other Features |
Foreign Object Detection (FOD) Radar, large cargo bay |
|
Captain |
Unknown |
|
Home Planet / Organization |
Earth / NASA / U.S. Air Force |
The X-71 was the classification of two space shuttles in the movie Armageddon that transported the astronauts from Earth to the asteroid. The two known X-71s are the Freedom and the Independence.
Design Characteristics[]
Unlike the real life Space Shuttles of NASA (ie: Columbia, Challenger, Discover, Atlantis and Endeavor), the X-71 Space Shuttle is very much different in comparison to its counterparts.
- 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)
- Unique designs on the main tail fin that in Freedom's case, a Bald Eagle while Independence has a Lighting Bolt (NASA's lacks any imagery)
- A larger Cargo hold for the Armadillo and extra equipment (NASA's are a bit smaller)
- FOD 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)
- Axillary Boosters mounted on the top of the orbiter that can provide temporary thrust in space and be ejected off (NASA's don't have this feature)
- Landing gear that has both normal tires for landing on Earth and sled-like ones for the Asteroid (NASA has only normal landing gear)
Film Role (Spoiler Alert)[]
Origins[]
Sometime before the events of the film, a top-secret joint venture between the United States Air Force and NASA was approved to create a different type of space shuttle.
The project yielded two shuttles which were the Independence and the Freedom. It is unknown what project that the shuttles were for prior to the Asteroid Dottie appearing.
Knowledge of the shuttles was kept secret between only NASA and the United States Air Force. However, events would soon put the shuttles into the public eye.
At some point, the Independence and Freedom would get their respective Commanders and Pilots prior to the events of the movie. Independence would get Colonel Davis and Captain Tucker. Freedom would get Colonel Sharp and 1st Lieutenant Watts.
Mission to Save Earth from Armageddon[]
After the tragic loss of the NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis in the beginning of the film, Independence and Freedom were suddenly thrusted into a mission to save the world from a killer asteroid.
The X-71 is first seen by Harry's crew after Chick asked what was an X-71. Seconds later, the roughnecks get to see one of the X-71 shuttles being lifted in a hanger. There, Harry's crew meet the pilots and nuclear munitions experts for the two shuttles.
Launch Day[]
After the destruction of Shanghai, China and the loss of countless civilians, the mission is made public and thus, the shuttles are known to the rest of the world. One of the shuttles is seen being moved to one of the launch pads for Launch Complex 39.
Later as the President of the United States is making his speech to the world, the crews for both shuttle teams make their way to the launch pads. Then, hours later, both shuttles lift off into the heavens. Freedom Launches first followed by Independence.
Russian Space Station Chaos[]
After reaching orbit, the two shuttles make their way to the heavily modified MIR Space station to fuel up for the trip to the asteroid. Independence docks first followed by Freedom.
There, the crews meet the only occupant on the station Cosmonaut Lev Andropov. Moments later, the fueling of the shuttles begins. At first, things are normal, but then due to the station's age, fuel leaks and starts a fire.
Chaos ensues, but everyone manages to evacuate the station in the nick of time. Lev ends up on the shuttle Independence thanks to Freedom leaving first to avoid a large section of the space station from hitting it.
Journey to the Asteroid[]
Sometime later, the two shuttles arrive at the moon. Once in Lunar orbit, the two fire their thrusters to boost around the moon to come up behind the asteroid. The assumption by NASA was that the Lunar gravity would draw a numerous amount of debris away from the massive rock, but no one was prepared for what would come next.
Rough landing[]
As the two shuttles got closer to the asteroid, debris appeared suddenly that weren't pulled from the Moon's gravity. Despite the valiant efforts by the two shuttle crews to avoid debris (including dumping their auxiliary boosters), Independence is hit causing it to spiral out of control.
Moments later, the front windows of Independence shattered killing Colonel Davis and Captain Tucker. Then seconds later, Independence crashes killing all, but AJ, Lev and Bear.
Freedom on the other hand manages to survive the journey and lands, but misses her planned landing spot by 26 miles according to Rockhound the geologist assigned to the Freedom.
Drilling Mission[]
For the rest of the film, the Freedom remains on the asteroid and almost succeeds in drilling to 800 feet, but two things happen to thwart it. One, "Secondary Protocol" started by the USA President under miscalculations that the nuclear blast would deflect the asteroid away from Earth, but wouldn't do so. Thankfully, it is stopped.
Secondly, the Armadillo unit assigned to the Freedom gets blasted off the asteroid killing its operator Max thanks to a gas pocket. Then, suddenly, the Armadillo unit for the Independence arrives in time having survived the crash of Independence along with AJ, Lev and Bear.
Thanks to this ray of hope, the drilling is finished, but before the bomb can go in, a rock storm erupts and Gruber ends up dead due to being impaled on spiky asteroid formations.
After Harry stays behind to detonate the bomb, the Freedom manages to leave, but almost turns back though Chick prevents this. In the end, Harry succeeds in detonating the bomb, but dies in the process.
Return Home[]
Thanks to Harry's sacrifice, Earth and Mankind are saved and the Freedom returns to Earth with survivors from the two shuttle crews along with Lev. Freedom lands at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA and everyone departs the shuttle.