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Planes, cranes and transporters
The shuttle’s 12-mile, two-day journey from LAX to the California Science Center will require four computer-controlled transporters to work together through a series of complex turns and back-and-forth slides to avoid streetside obstacles.
Moving the shuttle | Getting ready | Placement | Separation | Transfer
How the shuttle Endeavour will be transported from LAX to the California Science Center.
Removing Endeavour from the Boeing 747 carrier that carried it to California from Florida.
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In position
Heavy equipment is placed in position before the shuttle arrives. It includes two cranes, two lifts and a sling that will be used to lift and lower Endeavour.
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Attaching the sling
Once the 747 is towed into position, a 37,000-pound sling is lowered by two cranes, one from each end.
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Lifting the shuttle
Once secured, the sling and shuttle are slowly lifted straight up, creating space for the 747 underneath to be backed out.
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Lowering the shuttle
Shuttle is lowered onto a frame sitting atop self-propelled vehicles that will move it into a United Airlines hangar and, later, through the streets of L.A.
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