Pasadena Company Plays Key Role in Plan to Move Massive Shuttle Fuel Tank to Science Center on Saturday

 

Pasadena-based Parsons announced today it donated consulting services to the California Science Center for its program to transport NASA’s last remaining space shuttle external tank — known as External Tank 94 or ET-94 — from New Orleans, LA, to its new home at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA.

After the 66,000-lb tank—which was one of three main sources of fuel—is delivered, the California Science Center plans to unite it with the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour and display the shuttle with the tank in the vertical launch position at the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, making it the only space shuttle in the world displayed in the launch position.

ET-94, which is orange in color, started its 5,000-mi journey from New Orleans in April, and it arrived in the seaside community of Marina del Rey, located in Los Angeles County, on May 18, 2016. Now docked in Marina del Rey, minor engineering tasks will be conducted to prepare it for land transport. On May 21, 2016, at 12:01 a.m., it will travel through the streets to its final destination at the California Science Center in Exposition Park. The journey will take about 18 hours.

“Parsons is a long-time supporter of the California Science Center, which ties directly to our emphasis on technology and engineering,” said Chuck Harrington, Parsons’ Chairman and CEO. “We’re proud to have been part of this historic planning effort for the Space Shuttle and External Tank 94 as a continuation of our legacy with the U.S. Space Shuttle program dating back 30+ years. Our contributions on this most recent effort included a sustainability plan to minimize route mileage, while protecting trees and landscaping along the proposed land portion of the route.”

Parsons, as part of a team of local consultants, also donated services to the California Science Center by assisting in the development of Endeavour’s Final Placement Logistic Plan. The plan was put into action on October 12 and 13, 2012, and included structural analysis of the I-405 overpass at Manchester Boulevard, an inventory of obstructions (street lights, power lines, traffic signals, trees, etc.), and selection of equipment and methodologies to reduce the impact to existing infrastructure and minimize the number of mature trees affected. Like Endeavour’s homecoming, ET-94’s journey to the California Science Center will be a historic event and a chance for the community to come together to celebrate and be inspired by this 154-ft-long engineering marvel.

For information about the California Science Center, the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour, or External Tank 94, please visit http://www.californiasciencecenter.org.