Its official designation was the OV-105, but the world came to know it as the Endeavour Space Shuttle. It was built from spare parts to replace the Challenger, which tragically disintegrated a mere 73 minutes after launch from the Kennedy Space Center on January 28, 1986.
Along with the Discovery and Atlantis, which took part in the STS (Space Transportation system) missions, and the Enterprise that was used for initial testing, the Endeavour is (after a second tragedy struck in 2003 when Columbia exploded on re-entry) what remains of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, which was terminated last year after three decades and 135 missions.
With the Lockheed-Martin Orion being selected by NASA as its next reusable space vehicle, the Space Shuttles are now part of the U.S. space program's history.
The Endeavour, however, had one last trip to make before its final retirement. This time it did not make it into space; in fact, it didn’t even light up its rockets.
The 150,000-pound spacecraft was transported by a standard half-ton Toyota Tundra CrewMax pickup to its new home, the California Science Center, where it will be exhibited from October 30, 2012.
It was a 12-mile journey that passed through the 405 Freeway and crossed the Manchester Boulevard Bridge. The Tundra, which packs a 381HP 5.7-liter V8 under its hood, was picked not only because of its towing ability, but also due to Toyota’s long-standing relationship with the Center.
Engineer and astronaut Garrett Reisman, a crewmember of the Endeavour in its International Space Station (ISS) travel in 2008, was aboard the Tundra that was steered by Toyota professional driver, Matt McBride.
“I’m honored to be part of the space shuttle Endeavour’s final mission to the California Science Center”, said the former astronaut, who added that he appreciated “Toyota’s support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern California community.”
Fortunately, the Tundra completed its task without a hitch and no report whatsoever of smoke coming out of its power window switches...
You can watch the video of the Tundra towing a living piece of U.S. history right after the jump.
By Andrew Tsaousis
20 Comments:
Seriously? That Tundra can take a 150 tons plane + trailer? .. Maybe.. Just huge doubts about it
But... it just did.
It's not exactly that big of a deal. Any of the full sized trucks can do it. The entire trip is at VERY slow speed.
Wondering why the Japanese are not into Space research and science? After all they are the best when it comes to engineering and science by far, also some of their satellites have provided the the best resolution images. Wondering if their research programs are held on ransom by an outside power, also their economy?
73 seconds....
Ford and GM missed a opportunity.
I was there yesterday across the Manchester bridge/405 fwy, along with thousands waiting for the majestic Endeavour to roll...it was this, the Tundra commercial that kept us waiting for over 7hrs. I was a grand party though all throughout the night and wee hours of dawn at Inglewood for Lady Endeavour.
@SgtBeavis:disqus Exactly, at slow speed any decent SUV can do it. It reminds me of the VW Touareg towing the 747 Jet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhk3VRtU5Dk
I'm surprise ... :o
Oh my Goodness its really fanatic post i love it i really appreciate that person who work on it keep it dear its great job
It just needs to start pulling.
They've had a half a century to do so, if they haven't figured it out by now, I doubt they will anytime soon.
A nice satellite camera is nothing compared to a rocket ship.
If they want america to back out of the hole were in why dont we support america and usa AMERICAN equipment!
It only pulled it across the 405. NOT the whole 12 mile distance as your article implies.
The Touareg V10 TDI and the Q7 V12 TDI did basically the same thing years ago. Again for publicity, and again meaning nothing.
Woopy fuckin' doo.
Any large pick up could do this.
Actually not 150tons, but 150 thousand pounds. If a VW Touareg V10 TDI could tow a Boeing 747, it's not a big deal for this Tundra.
You're all idiots, It was done in 4-Low The Lower gearing of the transfer case acts as a torque multiplier and it was done at walking speed for the whole distance.
Tundra sucks, Nissan Titan is king.
What do you need to make a satellite camera a satellite camera?? The answer is.........A ROCKET!
Japan builds some of the best rockets ALSO known to man.. H-2A Rockets - 16 consecutive successful launches, 96% success rate. Most importantly their space research agency does all this on a shoe-string budget. Maybe just 1/4 the budget of Nasa. Plus Japan's space research faces human capital shortage.. only 6500 people work in their space research. Compared to 50,000 and 60,000 plus in other countries.
Measure for measure the development of Japan's space tech is the most efficient.
I just watched two Time Lapse of the Endeavor getting to the Space Center. Not once did I see a small truck towing it.
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