See the tricky logistics behind displaying the shuttle Endeavour

DISPLAYING an area shuttle is tougher than it could appear – you may’t simply plunk it down and arrange the velvet rope. So, earlier than the shuttle Endeavour (pictured under) can take up residence on its 1600-tonne concrete slab on the California Science Heart in Los Angeles, there will probably be six months of prep.

Whereas the opposite three shuttles are on present throughout the US in a horizontal place, Endeavour will probably be positioned in a “ready-to-launch” vertical place, full with the boosters and tank that might be wanted to ship it again as much as area. Such a stack requires heavy {hardware} to maintain it upright: six seismic isolators to guard it from earthquakes, large studs made of specialized supplies, and among the strongest cranes on the market to stack up the 61 metres of spacecraft.

The primary components lifted in have been the aft skirts (certainly one of which is proven in the primary picture, hanging from the crane), that are the bottom of the rocket boosters. Subsequent are the boosters, then the large gas tank and, lastly, Endeavour itself. The roof of the constructing will then be constructed across the shuttle. It received’t be time to launch, but it surely certain will seem like it.