The Toyota Tundra passes history towing an icon space

A pick-up of a half-ton Toyota Tundra has succeeded without any special modification, a tow Endeavour Space Shuttle 150,000 lb (68,000 kg) along a highway bridge crossing the busiest of America on Friday night, October 12. The towing is the result of a partnership of two decades between Toyota and the California Science Center to raise awareness of the space program and educate through exhibitions and events.

The itinerary of 19 km of the shuttle through the streets of the city to bring to its destination at the California Science Center included the crossing of Highway 405. Tundra participated in Endeavour transport Bridge Manchester Boulevard - an area that required a lighter than other parts of the itinerary for good weight distribution mechanism tow. Toyota has conducted extensive testing and working with Sarens Group, a firm of engineering and transport heavy loads to develop a trailer that would move Endeavour on deck.

The model chosen was equipped iForce V8 engine of 5.7 L Toyota, which can produce a power of 381 hp a Tundra CrewMax 4x4 2012 series. All Tundra trucks are produced exclusively in the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant, Texas San Antonio. The truck used to tow Endeavour was purchased at a Toyota dealer in Southern California, and this truck has not received any modifications or special equipment for towing.

Tundra was the pilot Matt McBride, Commercial Pilot longtime Toyota. The pilot was accompanied by Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts who were aboard the spacecraft when he went to the International Space Station in 2008. It took 5 minutes to cross the bridge from end to end .

"I am honored to participate in the final mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which will lead to the California Science Center, said Garrett Reisman, an engineer and former NASA astronaut. I appreciate the support of Toyota to help bring this icon space within the community of Southern California. "

The California Science Center presents a popular mobile exhibition that uses a Tundra to demonstrate the physical laws of the multiplication of force. Tundra used to tow the shuttle will replace the existing truck once exposure Endeavour will be open October 30, 2012.