Visit At NASA KSC VAB and Crawler Transporter

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The time for dreams coming true normally happens around Xmas or similar occasions. Dreams of your life coming true however happen unexpected and without warning.

In March 2010 Ed Griffith, Mechanical Lead of Crawler Transporter #2, came across this site and contacted me. Our email conversation quickly developed and eventually led to an invitation to KSC to see the real Crawler Transporters.

Now, lots of preparation had to be done to bring a non US-citizen so close to the heart of America’s space program, and I want to thank all persons who were involved in this process, namely Ray Trapp and Perry Becker, and of course my dear friend Ed for all their efforts to make this possible.

During the visit, Crawler Transporter kit 001 was officially gifted to the NASA and handed over to Perry Becker. The kit will be built for the visitors complex at the KSC.

Approaching the VAB
We all know it’s big. However it is hard to get a grip, how big it really is. It’s there at the horizon, and driving seems not bring you closer. Each stripe of the American flag has the width of a standard road lane.

At the Gate of the VAB
Some things are hard to believe. For example the fact, that you have just entered the VAB. History happened right here, and still happens. The orange balloon in the back actually is the external fuel tank for the Endeavour, that has just arrived the day before.

Look up
The ceiling of the VAB, 160m above you. Sometimes, even looking up can make you dizzy.

Endeavour’s External Fuel Tank
It had just arrived a few days before and was about to be erected. However, the horizontal position makes it even more impressive.

Close up
Getting so close to real space hardware that you are used to know from TV only, has a sense of unreal fantasy and total excitement.

Hidden in the side bay
Yes. It’s the Discovery. All you can see is the external fuel tank, and the MLP. The orbiter and the boosters are hidden behind an iron spider web.

The Mobile Launcher Platform
Like the Crawler Transporters, it stems from the days of the moon landing program. The LUT was removed, and two additional openings for the boosters added.On the floor you can see the Crawler way.

The Writing on the Wall
Here you can sign the wall of the VAB. Truly a big thing to put your name on !

Crawler Transporter #1
After ten years of modeling, standing in front of the real thing is a feeling hard to describe. You might think of meeting an old friend, in new clothes but still the same good old soul.

Crawler Transporter #1
A lot of things have been added and changed since the sixties, like the new Cab and the cable tray on its bottom. In the background you see the LUT for the Constellation program.

The Mystery of the Sticks
I always wondered what they are good for. Now I know: They are used to align the trucks.

Corner C
Here is one difference between the two Crawlers. CT#2 has three vertical columns for the handrails in front of the JEL cylinders, while CT#1 has one more.

#1 or #2 ?
You should be able now to easily identify CT#2 on this picture ;) Impressive: the new exhaust system.

Inner Steering Arm
First tests of the Crawler Transporter showed, that the outer steering cylinders alone were too weak to push the trucks. So another set of steering cylinders were added along the longitudinal side of the chassis.

On the Move
The crawler way is sprinkled to avoid tons of raised dust. To see and hear this giant in motion is an unforgettable experience.

On the Top
The beam over the fuel tank is removable.

Looking through ...
... one of the countless openings of the Crawler Transporter like here at the corner structure.

JEL Interface
One of the pictures I wish I would have had already during the design of the Crawler Transporter model. A lot of the wiring was acquired during the long life of the Crawler, however the basic set still is there.

The Sprocket
It has 13 spokes. Not sure if this is common for crawlers, however for me it still sounds very odd.

Engineer Control Room
It has changed a lot since the days of the moon landing program, while the inner machinery still is quite original. One basic insight however was, that Windows also won this battle
;)

In Control
Little me and the beast. For such a giant, the tiny steering wheel is a strange contrast. Also, when you have expected an overwhelming amount of instruments like in the cockpit of an airliner, you will be surprised.


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