US rental and heavy haulage group Bragg Companies used five Liebherr cranes to install the Endeavour space shuttle and its launch stack in the vertical ‘ready to launch’ position, for display at the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
The Endeavor space shuttle flew 25 missions and has inspired roughly 20 million visitors from around the world since arriving at the California Science Center in October 2012. The 37 metre long orbiter weighs 81 tonnes, has a wingspan of 23.6 metres and is the only authentic space shuttle displayed in its launch configuration.
Preparing to lift the shrink wrapped shuttle
The project took over 6,000 man hours, 20 engineered plans and two years of planning. The six month stack process began in July 2023 with the installation of the aft skirts and base, completed in January.
One of Bragg's 750 tonne LR 1750/2 crawler cranes was on site whole time, rigged with full main boom, luffing jib and suspended counterweight to provide capacities of up to 127 tonnes at heights of up to 175 metres.
Justin Lambert of Bragg said: “The Liebherr LR 1750's capability of electronically limiting the hoist and swing speed was vital to the success of the lifts due to the extremely tight tolerances in the pit and constant wind speed variables at the tip height.”
The LR 1750/2 supports the external tank while it is secured in place
When it came to assembling the stack, the LR 1750/2 started by lifting and set the skirts into place whilst a 180 tonne LTM 1160 helped to lift the rocket motors into place and tailed in the longest component, the 47 metre long external fuel tank that sits in the centre of the stack and to which the shuttle is attached. Once in the vertical position the LR1750 lifted it clear of the site and slewed it into position at the centre of the stack.
The 400t LTM 1400-7.1 tails in the load
The heaviest element to be lifted was Endeavor itself, shrink wrapped for protection against the elements. It was lifted into place by the LR 1750/2 with a 400 tonne LTM 1400-7.1 tailing in, and a 180 tonne LTM 1160 assisting.
The LR1750/2 takes the full 80 tonne load
And lowers it into position on the external tank
The slings were finally detached from the Endeavour, some 14 hours after the lift had begun. A number of big boom lifts, supplied by United Rentals were also used to help with rigging and slinging etc... While small scissor lifts were used for more mundane access duties on the lift.
The slings and lifting frame are removed
The lifting frame is taken away
Jeffrey Rudolph, chief executive of California Science Centre said: “With the lift and setting of the Endeavour, we have successfully completed the last ever space shuttle stack. This is a dream over 30 years in the making, and a feat that has never before been accomplished outside of a NASA or Air Force facility.”
"Despite challenges like tight working areas, high winds and rain, the project was completed without incident. The new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will serve as a hub for innovation and education, hopefully inspiring the generations of tomorrow."
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