On Friday the space shuttle Endeavour was moved to its new home, the California Science Center. A Toyota Tundra pickup truck without any special modifications successfully towed the 150,000 pound space shuttle Endeavour across a bridge spanning the nation’s busiest freeway on Friday night, Oct. 12.
On Friday the space shuttle Endeavour was moved to its new home, the California Science Center. A Toyota Tundra pickup truck without any special modifications successfully towed the 150,000 pound space shuttle Endeavour across a bridge spanning the nation’s busiest freeway on Friday night, Oct. 12. The tow was a result of a 20-year partnership between Toyota and the California Science Center to raise awareness of the space program and continue public education through exhibits and events.
The shuttle’s 12-mile route over city streets to its new home at the California Science Center includes one passage over the 405 Freeway. “We’ve partnered with the California Science Center since the early ’90s as part of our ongoing commitment to inspiring youth in the fields of engineering, innovation and future technology, and we are honored to lend our support for this historic event,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of community affairs and philanthropy for Toyota.
The Tundra was powered by the 381-hp 5.7-liter V8. It was piloted by Toyota professional driver Matt McBride and Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts aboard the orbiter when it traveled to the International Space Station in 2008.
“I’m honored to be part of the space shuttle Endeavour’s final mission to the California Science Center,” said Garrett Reisman, an engineer and former NASA astronaut. “I appreciate Toyota’s support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern California community.”
