Space Shuttle Tank ET-94 Arrives in L.A.

First Podcast! 

​In this podcast, I talk a little bit more in depth about the arrival of the ET-94 fuel tank to Los Angeles. 

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Recently, the Space Shuttle's (Endeavor) fuel tank that was actually never used in any space flights, is a big piece of American history, and it is heading towards the California Science Center! On Wednesday May 18, 2016, the tanked used in this historic space launch has now arrived in Marina del Rey, in Los Angeles. But why is this fuel tank so historic and valuable even though it 

was NEVER used?  This was an external fuel tank also known as ET-94, (ET-94 = External Tank 94) which was never actually used because it was thought that this tank would cause other problems, just like how the so-call "twin" tank, ET-93, caused a deadly accident.
​What I mean by this is that for example, astronauts and NASA space staff did not want to use this fuel tank for further exhibitions because the "twin" tank ET-93, was the cause of a huge fiery explosion of the space shuttle Colombia, in 2003, killing the seven astronauts aboard. So then afterwards, it was considered that this fuel tank didn't and never actually went up into space. Although, ET-94 WAS actually used in a flight across the canal of Panama last month in April, where it took-off and landed in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Although people might not care about this fuel tank, it IS actually a big piece of both American and space history.
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Now that it has recently arrived to Los Angeles, the big question that will probably take sometime to plan out is, "How will the ET-94 make its way through the Los Angeles streets to end up in the California Science Center?" 

First of all, we need to take a closer look at the humongous size of this fuel tank. This fifteen story high tank measures 154-by-27.5-feett (47 by 14.5 meters), according to Space.com. It weighs a total of 66,000 pounds! Now that is what you call MASSIVE! This tank is even bigger in size compared to the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Now that we know the size measurements of this fuel tank, we can begin to wonder how this massive piece of space history will make its way to the California Science Center.  

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On May 21st, the ET-94 arrived to the California Science Center, on Saturday. It made a 16 mile long journey from La Marina del Rey, all the way to Exposition Park. This massive 66,000 pound fuel tank spent more than 18 hours slowly roaming down the streets of Los Angeles. According to ktla.com, one of the residents state, "This is huge...this is a huge tank, said Muchaka Zukinta, of Bellflower. “I didn't think it was that big, but it's bigger than I thought it was.” Science Center staff members say that this rule tank will remain in the science museum for several further years, until it is linked onto the shuttle in a new facility. ​​

I persoanlly, haven't seen this huge fuel tank in person yet, but from what people and residents have said from seeing this tank seems like it is a valuable experience. I am maybe planning to do visit this tank, where it is going to be displayed right next to the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavor. Experiencing and seeing this fuel tank must be an awesome feeling, just getting to see American Space history 

right on front of us. So if you are planning to give the Science Center a quick visit, I recommend that maybe you should go while it is still in Los Angeles ,because you heard, in a couple of years, the tank AND the Endeavor will sadly not be here anymore! ​

​1) ALL first gallery images courtesy of latimes.com. 2) ET-94 fuel tank image courtesy of collectspace.com.  3) Video courtesy of ktla.com Los Angeles News.  4) Tank route image courtesy of jpl.nasa.gov.  5)Image #1 in concluding gallery image courtesy of spaceflight101.com.  6)Image #2 in concluding gallery courtesy of jpl.nasa.gov.