The Time a Pickup Pulled the Space Shuttle

1

10

25

50

It was too heavy for a helicopter to carry.

It could not be taken apart without damaging its heat tiles.

The Science Center wanted to create a public parade.

Both A and B are correct.

37 meters

24 meters

18 meters

80 meters

Standard flatbed trucks

A modified Boeing 747

Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs)

A large crane system

Advanced GPS navigation

Hydraulic suspension system

Multi-directional steering on its transporters

Detachable wings

Heavier vehicles cause less damage because their weight is spread out.

The damage is directly proportional to the vehicle's weight.

The damage is proportional to the axle load raised to the power of four, meaning heavier vehicles cause significantly more damage.

Only very light vehicles cause damage to roads over time.

The shuttle was flown over sensitive areas.

Special lightweight tires were installed on the transporters.

Steel plates were placed along the route to spread the load.

The shuttle was disassembled and reassembled at each sensitive point.

They manually measured every obstacle along the route.

They used a mobile laser scanner to create a 3D model of the route and simulated the shuttle's movement.

They removed all obstacles from the entire route before the move.

They relied on spotters to guide the shuttle in real-time.

Satellite imaging

Collision detection analysis

Manual surveying

Drone reconnaissance

The cost of the move; they raised ticket prices.

The slow speed of the shuttle; they sped it up.

The removal of trees; they pledged to replace them two-to-one.

The disruption to traffic; they offered free public transport.