In the late 1970s, NASA began to develop a way to transport their Space Shuttle from one location to another. After a few years of research and development, they were able to build the Crawler-Transporter, a vehicle capable of carrying and launching the Space Shuttle.
The Crawler-Transporter is an immense machine that is powered by two massive diesel engines and has four sets of tracks that enable it to move across the ground. It measures 131 feet long, 114 feet wide and stands nearly twenty-one feet tall. This enormous vehicle weighs over 6 million pounds and can travel at speeds up to 1 mile per hour.
The Crawler-Transporter was designed by Marion Power Shovel Company in Ohio, who also built the massive machine for NASA. It was designed for maximum efficiency and safety when transporting the Space Shuttle from its launchpad to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The VAB is where the Shuttle is assembled and then moved onto the Crawler-Transporter prior to launch.
In order for the Crawler-Transporter to tow the Space Shuttle, it had to be equipped with a special tow bar. The tow bar is connected directly to both vehicles and allows them to maintain control while traveling together. The tow bar is also equipped with sensors that monitor speed, distance travelled, engine temperature, oil pressure and other critical data.
What Pickup Truck Towed The Space Shuttle?
The answer is none! The Crawler-Transporter was designed specifically for this purpose and does not require any other vehicle or machinery for transportation or launching of the Space Shuttle. This massive machine has been used since 1977 when it first transported the Columbia Shuttle from its assembly building in Florida all the way up to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in preparation for its first flight.
The Crawler-Transporter has been used countless times since then in order to transport the Space Shuttles from their assembly building or launch pad in preparation for launch. It continues to be an integral part of NASA’s operations today as it continues its mission of safely transporting these valuable pieces of equipment.
Conclusion
No pickup truck towed the Space Shuttle as this task was undertaken by an immense machine known as a Crawler Transporter developed by Marion Power Shovel Company which was built specifically for this purpose. It is 131 feet long, 114 feet wide with four sets of tracks that enable it travel at speeds up 1 mile per hour, with a tow bar connected directly to both vehicles maintaining control while travelling together. Since 1977 it has been used countless times in order transporting these valuable pieces of equipment safely!
