
30.įor more information on the Tundra Endeavour, visit /tundraendeavour. At the end of the Endeavour’s 12 mile journey from LAX to the Science Center, a finish-line celebration at Exposition Park is planned as the shuttle arrives at the Science Center, allowing the public to witness. The Tundra used to tow the shuttle will replace the existing truck when the Endeavour exhibit opens on Oct. The tow Tundra will replace the existing Tundra and will be on display after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30, 2012. The Science Center has a popular working exhibit utilizing a Tundra that demonstrates the physics of leverage. “I appreciate Toyota’s support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern California community.” “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.

From start to finish, it took 5 minutes to cross the bridge. Riding along was Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts aboard the orbiter when it traveled to the International Space Station in 2008.
#TUNDRA SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR DRIVER#
The Tundra was piloted by long-time Toyota professional driver Matt McBride. The truck used to tow the Endeavour was purchased from a Southern California Toyota dealer, with no modifications or special equipment added for the tow. All Tundra trucks are produced exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas in San Antonio. The model selected was a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 4×4 with Toyota’s 5.7-liter iForce V8, producing 381 horsepower. “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. Toyota did extensive testing and worked with the Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineering transport company, to develop a dolly to move the Endeavour over the bridge. The Tundra assisted in the transport of the Endeavour as it journeyed over the Manchester Boulevard Bridge-an area that required a lighter tow mechanism than other portions of the route for weight distribution purposes. The shuttle’s 12-mile route over city streets to its new home at the California Science Center included one passage over the 405 Freeway. 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. (Toyota photo)Ī Toyota Tundra half-ton 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. A quick visit to our new Toyota showroom serving Reno will tell you everything you want to know.A Toyota Tundra takes on the ultimate tow in Inglewood. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. And remember, you don't need to take a trip to see how capable the new Toyota Tundra pickup is. Space Shuttle Endeavour (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105) is a retired orbiter from NASAs Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational Shuttle built. If you have a chance to see the exhibit, please leave Reno Toyota a comment telling us your fellow readers how it was. It will replace the current Tundra which is now used in an exhibit on leverage. The space-shuttle-hauling Tundra will go on exhibit at the California Science Center, when the Endeavor exhibit officially opens on October 30, 2012. Perhaps you've heard of it: Sarens Group. The automaker designed the dolly on which the space shuttle was towed in collaboration with an engineering firm specializing in heavy lifting.

Toyota, of course, cannot claim all of the credit. "I appreciate Toyota's support in helping bring this space icon home to the Southern Californian community." 1 "I'm honored to be part of the Space Shuttle Endeavour's final mission to the California Science Center," professed Garret Reisman, an engineer and former NASA astronaut. If you missed the live coverage, you can see for yourself on YouTube (). In fact, the new Toyota Tundra made towing 150,000 pounds five miles look easy. Well, we're writing today to tell you that it succeeded! You might remember reading that the Toyota Tundra stepped up to help the retiring Space Shuttle Endeavour with the last leg of its trip toward the California Science Center in Las Angeles.
