STS-121 
Arrival of External Tank #119


© 2005, i/ota Internet Services
 All rights reserve

March 1, 2006

The 153.8-foot long External Tank holds the propellant. Known as the structural backbone for the Shuttle, the tank supports the vehicle on the launch pad and absorbs the 7.3 million pounds of thrust generated during launch. Yet, its aluminum skin is less than a half-inch thick -- if a soft drink can were expanded to tank size its skin would be slightly thicker than the tank's skin.

Return to NASA Tech Home page
info@nasatech.net


Click the thumbnail to view the full-size image

page 1 of 2 Next
DSC_1066a DSC_1100a DSC_1127a
Still tethered to Pegasus, the transport barge, the tug 'muscles' Pegasus into the dock As the tugs prepare to leave, operations for moving the External Tank to the VAB begin. Clearances are checked as the External Tank is moved off the Pegasus, its transport barge
DSC_1129a DSC_1131a DSC_1135a
The External Tank is inched out of Pagasus, its transport barge The tractor carefully pulls the External Tanks from its Pegasus transport barge Close-up of the aft attach points and the LOX and H2 feedline attach points
DSC_1144a DSC_1146a DSC_1156a
As the tank is moved, the VAB is visible in the background An empty Pegasus in the gistance, External Tank #119 brgins the short journey to the VAB. Under floodlights, the re-designed tank is moved slowly to the VAB.