Tundra Endeavour Multi-Cam

As Tundra and Endeavour rolled across LAâ€™s 405 freeway, our cameras were also rolling from every angle imaginable.

Check out the tow in real time with our exclusive multi-cam player.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Episode One: The Challenge

Before the Toyota Tundra embarks on a historic mission, it must prove itself with a near-impossible task.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Episode Two: The Mission

There is no bigger job. No bigger responsibility. Watch as Tundra gets ready to tow a national icon through the surface street of LA.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Episode Three: An Astronaut's Story

Firsthand history: Hear from an astronaut who flew Endeavour to the International Space Station, and watch the final takeoff and landing.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Episode Four: Born in America

Tundra is proud to be built in America. See how various locations in the U.S. work together to assemble the truck that will pull the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Episode Five: Overbuilt

Powerful enough to tow a space shuttle—and stop it. See how Tundra is overbuilt to handle such a task.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Mission Accomplished

On October 12, 2012, the Toyota Tundra took on the job of towing Space Shuttle Endeavour across LA's 405 freeway. Witness this historic moment.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Endeavour's Ultimate Journey

The Endeavour is paraded through the streets of Los Angeles and towed over the 405 freeway by a stock Toyota Tundra.

Close

Synopsis

Learn more about this Tundra

Tweet Drive

If you would like to make an additional donation, visit the California Science Center Foundation.

Sorry, you can only tweet once per day. Make sure to come back tomorrow and tweet again.

This tweet raised $50 for Shuttle Endeavourâ€™s new home @CAScienceCenter. #TundraEndeavour

Share with Twitter

$21,340

Make your own donation to the California Science Center Foundation.

Timeline

AUGUST 1987

Congress authorizes
the construction of a new space shuttle to replace Challenger, which was lost in the STS-51-L launch accident.

SEPTEMBER 1988

September 1988 - Over 6000 schools take part in a competition to name the new Shuttle. The winning name: Endeavour.

MAY 1992

Endeavour embarks on its first mission, capturing and redeploying INTELSAT VI. The mission is completed successfully.

September 1992

Endeavour begins its second mission. Onboard is Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go to space.

1993

We have liftoff: Tundraâ€™s predecessor, the Toyota T100, is launched with a 3.0L V6 engine.

December 1993

Endeavour makes its first trip to service the Hubble Telescope.

1994

1994: A legacy begins: One year later J.D. Power names Tundra "Best Full-Size Pickup in Initial Quality."

JANUARY 1998

In a gesture of international cooperation, Endeavour docks with the Russian Space Station Mir.

1999

Re-launch: All-new Tundra full-size pickup truck debuted in June.

2000

History is made: V8-powered Toyota Tundra has the best sales debut ever of any Toyota or Lexus vehicle.

February 2000

Endeavour captures high-resolution topographical images of Earth, likely seeing the first Toyota Tundras beginning
to hit the road.

November 2002

Endeavour returns from mission STS-113, beginning a five-year hiatus on Earth as a result of the Columbia disaster.

2003

Win the space race:
The Tundra Double Cab is launched and it features on of the longest beds of any full-size four-door pickup.

2007

Shuttle-ready: The all-new Tundra, capable of towing more than 10,000 lbs. is introduced.

August 2008

Endeavour returns to the ISS, carrying 5000 lbs. of supplies. The mission is
cut one day short when Hurricane Dean threatens Mission Control.

2009

Tundra named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) â€œTOP SAFETY PICKâ€�

2010

Available 4.6-liter engine with 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft. of torque
delivers best efficiency
of any standard V8 in the full-size pickup segment.

2010

Tundra named â€œMost Dependable Large Pickup, Six Years in a Rowâ€� in a J.D. Power & Associates Vehicle Dependability Study.

May 2011

Endeavour successfully completes its 25th and final mission, delivering a load of equipment to the ISS.

May 2011

Following its return to Earth, Endeavour is formally decommissioned.

September 2012

Endeavour is flown from Houston to California on top of a modified 747, passing over numerous LA landmarks before safely landing at LAX.

OCTOBER 2012

Hitched to the back of a Toyota Tundra, Space Shuttle Endeavour is towed into retirement at the California Science Center.

Endeavour &
Tundra Timeline:

It was a long road leading up to this historic tow. These are some of the defining moments in the life of Space Shuttle Endeavour and Toyota Tundra.

Shuttle Tour

EXPLORE THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

See the life of Space Shuttle Endeavour, from day one in 1991 to retirement in 2011. Take a firsthand look at the massive facilities which the space shuttle once called home with this virtual walkthrough.

Click and drag the Google Maps Street View to explore the Endeavour space shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center. Click here for more Kennedy Space Center Street View Galleries in Google Maps.

Close

Synopsis

VIEW MORE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER GALLERIES

Photo Gallery

Mission Accomplished. As crowds cheer, Tundra successfully tows Endeavour towards its new home at the California Science Center.

Photo courtesy of @radical.media

Close

Show Info

A helicopter looks on as crews prepare Tundra to tow its 145-ton load.

Photo courtesy of @radical.media

Close

Show Info

Tundra pulls Space Shuttle Endeavour overtop the Manchester overpass. The 405 freeway lays silent below.

Photo courtesy of @radical.media

Close

Show Info

Crews work to hook the Tundra up to its 145-ton payload.

Photo courtesy of Verner Soler.

Close

Show Info

The moment finally arrives, as Tundra prepares to tow Space Shuttle Endeavour across the Manchester Overpass.

Photo courtesy of Verner Soler.

Close

Show Info

Tundra is ready. Endeavour is ready. This is about to happen.

Photo courtesy of Verner Soler.

Close

Show Info

Space Shuttle Endeavour towers over the half-ton Tundra.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Slough.

Close

Show Info

A stock Tundra set to tow Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Slough.

Close

Show Info

The Toyota Tundra awaiting the Endeavour.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

The Endeavour on its specially modified 747, arriving at LAX, flanked by two T-38 jets.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

The Endeavour en route to California.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

The Endeavour on top of its specially modified 747.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

Crowds gather at LAX to welcome Endeavour home to California.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

The Endeavour with 23,000 heat tiles on its underbelly.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

The Tundra, ready for its Endeavour.

Photo courtesy of Paul Poulitan.

Close

Show Info

Crowds clamor for shots at the shuttleâ€™s arrival party at LAX.

Photo courtesy of Steven Sluk.

Close

Show Info

Kids' Corner

Coloring Templates

Be a part of the Tundra Endeavour. Download these activity pages,
then print them out and fill them in.

01

X

The Story's
Not Over Yet.

The Tundra Endeavour is a 6-part documentary series.

Sign up now to receive email updates and notifications when the next episode in the series is released.

By signing up for the notifications you can also enter to win great prizes, including a Team Endeavour Tile Sponsorship. Click here for more information about the sponsorship tile.

Team Endeavour Virtual Tile Sponsorship

The Tundra Endeavour is a 6-part documentary series.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour's Thermal Protection System (TPS) is composed of over 23,000 ceramic tiles that cover the surface of the orbiter. These tiles protect the orbiter from the searing heat upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

With a Virtual Tile Sponsorship your name will be digitally attached to your very own tile, which will be on display inside the Endeavour's exhibit at the California Science Center.

THANKS FOR SIGNING UP FOR EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

You'll be the first to know when the next part of the story becomes available. Get your friends and family involved.

Thanks for Signing Up for Email Notifications and Entering to Win

You'll be the first to know when the next part of the story becomes available. Winners will be notified the week of November 5th. Get your friends and family involved.

Share this site: