Jason Davis • Jun 03, 2016
Follow a space shuttle tank through LA with this timelapse video
A couple weekends ago, the last unflown space shuttle external tank made a 19-hour trip through the streets of Los Angeles. It began its overland journey just after midnight on May 21, and finally pulled to a stop at the California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Pavilion around 7:00 p.m.
Space shuttle Endeavour is currently on display inside the pavilion. The tank and Endeavour will eventually be mated together with a pair of solid rocket boosters to create a full vehicle stack in launch position.
The tank, known as ET-94, had quite an eventful trip. After leaving NASA's Michoud Assembly Faciliy on April 12, the shuttle relic traversed the Panama Canal and rescued the crew of a sunk ship off the coast of Mexico before clearing U.S. customs in San Diego.
ET-94's arrival in California also marks the end of my own tank-chasing escapades. I created my third and final timelapse video; this one contains highlights of the tank rolling through the streets of Los Angeles. Enjoy!
Space shuttle fuel tank arrives in Los Angeles Video: Jason Davis / The Planetary Society
Last unflown space shuttle fuel tank leaves New Orleans Video: Jason Davis / The Planetary Society
Last unflown space shuttle fuel tank transits Panama Canal Video: Jason Davis / The Planetary Society
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