Editing Crawler-transporter (section)

{{short description|NASA rocket transport vehicle}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Crawler-transporter
| image = Crawler-Transporter.jpg
| image_size = 275px
| caption =
| aka = Missile Crawler Transporter Facilities
| manufacturer = [[Marion Power Shovel Company]]
| model_years = 1965
| engine = {{ubli
 | 2 × {{convert|2750|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on|order=flip}} V16 [[ALCO 251|ALCO 251C]] [[diesel engine]]s, driving 4 × {{convert|1341|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} generators for traction
 | 2 × {{convert|1065|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} engines driving 2 × {{convert|1006|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} generators powering auxiliaries: jacking, steering, lighting, and ventilating.
 }}
| transmission = 16 × traction motors, 4 per corner
| length = {{convert|131|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| width = {{convert|114|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| height = Adjustable, {{convert|20|to|26|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| weight = {{convert|2721|tonne|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="NASAsci"/>
| sp = us
| module =
 {{Infobox NRHP
 | embed = yes
 | name = Missile Crawler Transporter Facilities
 | nrhp_type = nrhp
 | location = [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Florida]]
 | added = January 21, 2000
 | refnum = 99001643<ref name="nris" />
 | mpsub = [[John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS]]
 }}
}}
The '''crawler-transporters''', formally known as the '''Missile Crawler Transporter Facilities''',<ref name="nris" /> are a pair of [[continuous track|tracked]] [[vehicle]]s used to transport [[Launch vehicle|launch vehicles]] from [[NASA]]'s [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] (VAB) along the [[Crawlerway]] to [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|Launch Complex 39]].  They were originally used to transport the [[Saturn IB]] and [[Saturn V]] [[rocket]]s during the [[Apollo program|Apollo]], [[Skylab]] and [[Apollo–Soyuz]] programs. They were then used to transport [[Space Shuttle]]s from 1981 to 2011. The crawler-transporters carry vehicles on the [[mobile launcher platform]]s (MLPs) used by NASA, and after each launch return to the pad to take the platform back to the VAB.<ref name="hostares" />

The two crawler-transporters were designed and built by [[Marion Power Shovel Company]] using some components designed and built by [[Rockwell International]] at a cost of {{USD|14 million}} ({{USD|128.5 million}} in 2022) each.<ref name="transport20120905" /> Upon its construction, the crawler-transporter became the largest self-powered land vehicle in the world until it was beaten in 2013 with the production of the ultraheavy [[XGC88000 crawler crane]]. While other vehicles such as [[bucket-wheel excavator]]s like [[Bagger 288]], [[dragline excavator]]s like [[Big Muskie]] and [[power shovel]]s like [[Marion 6360|The Captain]] are significantly larger, they are powered by external sources.

The two crawler-transporters were added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 2000.<ref name="nris" />