South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Last External Tank on Earth

— Space Shuttle Endeavour —

External Tank Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

1. External Tank Marker

Inscription.

Last External Tank on Earth. . , The external tank (ET) was the fuel tank for the space shuttle orbiter. It carried the propellants , liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen , that mixed and ignited in the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) to help push the shuttle to orbit. , The only component of the space shuttle that was not reused, the ET detached from the space shuttle orbiter after launch and fell back toward Earth, breaking apart in the atmosphere. This tank, ET-94, is the last remaining ET that was built for flight, but it was never launched. , While it's here, ET-94 will be restored to take its place in the new display of Endeavour in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Gallery. , indoor panel: , Mission 26: The Big Endeavour , Just before midnight on October 11, 2012, Endeavour began the once-ever trek of a space shuttle orbiter through a major metropolitan area full of homes, businesses, traffic and milions of people. For most of the journey, Endeavour rode on special sets of transport wheels that could be steered individually, allowing the orbiter to wriggle through narrow streets, zigzagging to miss obstacles on ether side. , At 78 feet wide, 57 feet high and 122 feet long , about as long as three school buses , navigating Endeavour through the streets of Los Angeles and Inglewood required the guidance and skill of over 100 people. Engineers and technicians lifted power lines and took down traffic lights. Police and firefighters cleared Endeavour's path and a whole crew of volunteers from across the state supported the efforts along the way. Endeavour made several planned stops to make time for crews to work, and even for the occasional party. , During the 68 hours it took Endeavour to travel the 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center, about 15 million people filled the sidewalks to celebrate the historic event. Enjoy images of Endeavour's historic trip through city streets here. For images of Endeavour's last flight through the skies, please visit the third floor.

The external tank (ET) was the fuel tank for the space shuttle orbiter. It carried the propellants — liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen — that mixed and ignited in the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) to help push the shuttle to orbit.
The only component of the space shuttle that was not reused, the ET detached from the space shuttle orbiter after launch and fell back toward Earth, breaking apart in the atmosphere. This tank, ET-94, is the last remaining ET that was built for flight, but it was never launched.
While it's here, ET-94 will be restored to take its place in the new display of Endeavour in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Gallery.

indoor panel:
Mission 26: The Big Endeavour
Just before midnight on October 11, 2012, Endeavour began the once-ever trek of a space shuttle orbiter through a major metropolitan area full of homes, businesses, traffic and milions of people. For most of the journey, Endeavour rode on special sets of transport wheels that could be steered individually, allowing the orbiter to wriggle through narrow streets, zigzagging to miss obstacles on ether side.
At 78 feet wide, 57 feet high and 122 feet long — about as long as three school buses — navigating Endeavour through the streets of Los Angeles

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and Inglewood required the guidance and skill of over 100 people. Engineers and technicians lifted power lines and took down traffic lights. Police and firefighters cleared Endeavour's path and a whole crew of volunteers from across the state supported the efforts along the way. Endeavour made several planned stops to make time for crews to work, and even for the occasional party.
During the 68 hours it took Endeavour to travel the 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center, about 15 million people filled the sidewalks to celebrate the historic event. Enjoy images of Endeavour's historic trip through city streets here. For images of Endeavour's last flight through the skies, please visit the third floor.

Erected 2022 by California Science Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration. A significant historical date for this entry is October 11, 2012.

Location. 34° 0.982′ N, 118° 17.227′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. Marker can be reached from Exposition Park Drive west of Figueroa Street, on the right when traveling west. Note: The tank is now located inside a new building under construction (2014). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles CA 90037, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

External Tank Marker Inset image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

2. External Tank Marker Inset

“The ET connected the whole shuttle stack and included attachment points for the orbiter and solid rocket boosters.”

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. F/A-18A Hornet (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rose Garden (about 400 feet away); Rainbow Division (about 600 feet away); Citius Altius Fortius (about 700 feet away); Exposition Park Rose Garden (about 700 feet away); Endeavor in Tow (about 700 feet away); 16 Days of Glory (about 700 feet away); Joan Benoit Samuelson (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

More about this marker. The California Science Center museum is open 10-5 daily, with free admission.
In 2022, construction began on the new Shuttle Gallery building. The tank is now located inside the new building (under construction, 2014).

Also see . . . California Science Center. Space Shuttle Endeavour and plans for the future exhibit. (Submitted on October 24, 2022.)

External Tank and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

3. External Tank and Marker

Last External Tank on Earth image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, February 5, 2023

4. Last External Tank on Earth

Viewed from State Street.

Indoor Panel — Mission 26: The Big Endeavour image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

5. Indoor Panel — Mission 26: The Big Endeavour

Indoor Panel — Future Shuttle Gallery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

6. Indoor Panel — Future Shuttle Gallery

The California Science Center will be the only place in the world to see a complete Space Shuttle System in "ready for launch" position.

The Big Endeavour — in 2012 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 12, 2012

7. The Big Endeavour — in 2012

Traveling from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center.

Space Shuttle Endeavour image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, October 22, 2022

8. Space Shuttle Endeavour

Photographed By Craig Baker, January 29, 2024

9. Last External Tank on Earth

Space Shuttle Stack assembly — 2024.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on February 11, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 24, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on January 30, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.