Thursday, 1 December 2011

Space Shuttle Flyout: Astrovan

The Crew Transport Vehicle, also known as the Astrovan, is a NASA vehicle used at the Kennedy Space Center to transport astronauts from the Operations and Checkout Building to the launch pad before a launch mission, to the pad for launch dress rehearsals, and back to Operations and Checkout Building following a shuttle landing.

The current model is a modified 1983 Airstream Excella motorhome, in use since November 1983. According to driver Ronnie King, the astronauts like the history-filled vehicle, even if it is somewhat old, and even argued against upgrading the vehicle.



YouTube link

(thanks Cora)

1 comment(s):

@medtek said...

The Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV) is actually the "mobile home on scissorjacks" that docs with the white room after a Shuttle landing. It's used to receive the astronauts for desuiting and recovery, and sometimes medical studies.