Space Shuttle to be towed by a Toyota.

[DanB]

Sorry, but I'm finding this wrong on many levels. Not only did we hand over our manned space exploration needs to overseas, now the last trip of our masterpiece is being handled by non-US company for a commercial. Wonderful.


September 14, 2012 – Space shuttle Endeavour has been moved by rockets, its own engines and thrusters, tank-like transporters and industrial tows. Now retired and museum- bound, the NASA winged orbiter will add another, perhaps unexpected form of locomotion to its well-travelled history: a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. announced on Wednesday (Sept. 12) that its Tundra full-size pickup truck is slated to tow Endeavour during its delivery to the California Science Center (CSC), where both the space shuttle and truck are destined for display. Endeavour will travel the 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the science center on city streets, with the Tundra towing the shuttle during the last quarter mile (400 meters).

[r carl]

Originally Posted by DanB

Sorry, but I'm finding this wrong on many levels. Not only did we hand over our manned space exploration needs to overseas, now the last trip of our masterpiece is being handled by non-US company for a commercial. Wonderful.

The world nowdays revolves around money.
The copycat Japanees trucks still are not what the American trucks are though.

[GeocamperAS]

It is my understanding that
The tundra is 100 percent assembled in the US
Whereas the F150 is 100 percent assembled in Canada

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by DanB

Sorry, but I'm finding this wrong on many levels. Not only did we hand over our manned space exploration needs to overseas, now the last trip of our masterpiece is being handled by non-US company for a commercial. Wonderful.


September 14, 2012 – Space shuttle Endeavour has been moved by rockets, its own engines and thrusters, tank-like transporters and industrial tows. Now retired and museum- bound, the NASA winged orbiter will add another, perhaps unexpected form of locomotion to its well-travelled history: a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. announced on Wednesday (Sept. 12) that its Tundra full-size pickup truck is slated to tow Endeavour during its delivery to the California Science Center (CSC), where both the space shuttle and truck are destined for display. Endeavour will travel the 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the science center on city streets, with the Tundra towing the shuttle during the last quarter mile (400 meters).

Doesn't bother me at all. Some of the Space Shuttle components were built by foreign countries, most notably the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System , AKA Canadarm, which was made in Canada, so the Shuttle has always been international, not just American.

The first foreign astronaut aboard the Space Shuttle was way back on mission STS-9 in 1983, and there have been a total of 58 missions with at least one, and sometimes as many as four, non-American astronauts aboard, out of 135 total missions. 8 Canadians; 1 Belgian; 7 French; 7 German; 5 Italian; 1 Dutch; 1 Spanish; 1 Swedish; 1 Swiss; 1 Israeli; 7 Japanese; 1 Mexican (NOT an illegal alien despite being in space!); 16 Russian; 1 Saudi; 1 Ukrainian. All the rest of the Shuttle astronauts were native-born Americans, Americans born abroad to American parents, or naturalized American citizens.

Besides, most Toyota Tundras sold in the United States are assembled at the Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas, so why not have a Toyota pull the Shuttle for a commercial? Put those Texans to work!

[Aviator]

The Ford F150's are produced at the Rouge River plant in Detroit. I toured the plant the past summer and watched them rolling down the line.

[eubank]

I wouldn't want my truck towing that thing. The shuttle weighs in at a mere 300,000 pounds.

Lynn

[Jim Clark]

"Just missing the top spot in Cars.com's annual American Made Index, the Ford F-150 (built in both Dearborn, Mich., and Claycomo, Mo.) finished just behind the four-time-winning Toyota Camry."

F-150 Just Misses Top Spot in Cars.com's American-Made Index - PickupTrucks.com News

I would prefer to see a vintage Airstream Motor home towing it.

Jim

[vswingfield]

My 2000 F150 has a sticker in the windshield saying it was assembled in Virginia.

Also, according to the first post, "with the Tundra towing the shuttle during the last quarter mile (400 meters)." It's obviously a gimmick anyway.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

It's obviously a gimmick anyway.

Not so sure about that. If the Tundra does the deed then you might say ......... "it has the right stuff"

I guess we will never know if Ford, Dodge, or GM would survive the challange???

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Not so sure about that. If the Tundra does the deed then you might say ......... "it has the right stuff"

I guess we will never know if Ford, Dodge, or GM would survive the challange???

Even if it tows it I still wouldn't buy a "chick truck"

[DanB]

I am aware of the relationship and cooperation our country has with the rest of the world in our space program. Just about 100% of all missions these days have out-of-country participation.

I know Toyotas are made in the US. I know Toyota is not an American company.

Just saying I would have rather seen "Detroit Iron" pulling this USA icon.

[AldeanFan]

My Tundra was built in the USA in Indiana.

This summer we towed our "American Icon" Airstream with our American built Tundra to New Hampshire Motor Speedway - sponsored by Toyota,
and Jamboree in the Hills - als sponsored by Toyota.

Toyota employes Americans and sponsors American events, who cares where the parent company came from!

My Ford Flex was built here in Canada, as a Canadian I'm proud of that, and its good to see Canadian's employed, I don't care who owns the Parent company.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

My Tundra was built in the USA in Indiana.

This summer we towed our "American Icon" Airstream with our American built Tundra to New Hampshire Motor Speedway - sponsored by Toyota,
and Jamboree in the Hills - als sponsored by Toyota.

Toyota employes Americans and sponsors American events, who cares where the parent company came from!

My Ford Flex was built here in Canada, as a Canadian I'm proud of that, and its good to see Canadian's employed, I don't care who owns the Parent company.

If Ford moved their Canadian plants to mexico I think you would start caring.

[purman]

Funny thing is; "just because it's assembled in America" Doesn't mean it's "made in America. I highly doubt the ford gets most of it's parts made in America. John Deere doesn't Or Caterpillar. Which are both American companies.

Good for Toyota, IMHO they made a better truck till about 2-3 years ago when the USA auto makers started to catch up. I have owned both chevy's and fords, and NOW Toyota's. Reason... I never have to take the Toyota's to the shop. My US company ones where in the shop after 20,000 miles for problems. My 4-runner has 170,000 miles and never a problem. The sequoia 94,000 same thing.. I'm sure there are people out there that can say that about US car makers but not nearly as many.. IMO

[AldeanFan]

Originally Posted by r carl

If Ford moved their Canadian plants to mexico I think you would start caring.

Only if I stopped believing in free market capitalism.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, a Toyota towing for only a 1/4 mile is no big deal. Is it a factory stock Toyota or does it have 5:88 gears and the transfer case in low range. With enough gear reduction, almost anything can tow anything. My little tongue jack can pick the rear end of my Lincoln off of the ground; It's all gearing. Take a stock Toyota and tow the Space Shuttle from LAX to it's destination, still a short distance, and it might mean something. I believe muscle men have pulled trains and a 747. Maybe I should bring my Lincoln to take over if the Toyota breaks.

[funkill]

Feels wrong that the shuttles are now museum display pieces. I worked on the program for 22 years and though I know it was crazy expensive to operate, it's a shame that it ended (manned space) as it did. Every time I speak with one of my NASA counterparts they apologize for not having a better plan in place... I'm just thankful that the shuttles aren't being hacked to move into their resting places.
Laura
1989-2001: Lockheed/USA - Payload Mechanical Engineer
2001-2005: Boeing - Flight Crew Systems & Structures Engineer
2005-2012: MDA - *Robotic Arm* Engineer

[r carl]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

Only if I stopped believing in free market capitalism.

Capitalism has gone too far, fair trade agreement laws havent been enforced in a long time.

[Skatiero]

I am a huge space fan, and I have to admit that I look forward to seeing this, even though I'd rather see the shuttle back in the launch pad.

[Fly at Night]

I kinda like this idea!

Trojan Horse Pull - Burning Man 2011 - YouTube