NASA: Crawler-Transporter

The NASA Crawler-Transporter has been an essential part of the US space program for more than 50 years. The launch facility at the Kennedy Space Center is reliant upon these massive vehicles as they are used to move the complete launch platform and rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad and return the platform after the launch.

This model of the NASA Crawler-Transporter has been built as a scale of 1:110 which is the same scale as the Apollo Saturn V set. I think is nice to be able to collect and compare models of the same scale and, with the launch of the new set, LEGO have given us a scale to aim for with larger space projects.

The model has been designed for strength with a Technics frame sandwiched between plates making up the core of the main body and incorporating arms out to the four sets of tracks so the model would be able to support a load.

The model is made up from 1500 LEGO pieces (300 of which are track links) and includes four trophy figure 'operators'. The tracks are one of teh main features of the model and a set of tracks has been built up and tested to ensure that the design runs freely.

Thank you for looking at this project, if you like it and would like to see it made into a set then please support and, as its not easy getting to the milestones, please ask your friends to support it too. 

About the full size Crawler-Transporter

The Crawler-Transporter was designed and built by Marion Power Shovel Company using components designed and built by Rockwell International at a cost of US$14 million each. 

The Kennedy Space Center has been using the same two crawlers since their initial delivery in 1965.

The Crawler-Transporter is controlled from two cabs located at either end of the vehicle, and travels along the 3.5 mile crawlerway at a maximum speed of 1 mph loaded, or 2 mph unloaded. The average trip time from the VAB to Launch Complex 39 is approximately five hours. The crawlerway includes slopes and the top of the vehicle is kept level by a hydraulic system which adjusts the height of the platform above the tracked drive units.

The crawlers are being upgraded to support the new, heavier, SLS program so the Crawler-Transporter will remain an essential part of the US space program for years to come.