1 00:00:00,710 --> 00:00:05,267 Narrator: Throughout the Space Shuttle Program, a familiar launch-day sight was the shiny silver 2 00:00:05,267 --> 00:00:08,157 vehicle known as the Astrovan. 3 00:00:08,157 --> 00:00:13,318 Before each launch, astronauts smiled and waved as they left crew quarters and boarded the van that 4 00:00:13,318 --> 00:00:18,250 would carry them to meet their fully fueled ride to space. 5 00:00:18,250 --> 00:00:23,155 The vehicle would wind its way across NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida as it carried the 6 00:00:23,155 --> 00:00:25,057 crew to the launch pad. 7 00:00:25,057 --> 00:00:29,597 It was an exciting ride for the crew members, but especially for the rookies ready for their first 8 00:00:29,597 --> 00:00:31,332 trip to space. 9 00:00:31,332 --> 00:00:35,042 STS-135 Pilot Doug Hurley: The first time is just everything about it is just, you know, the anticipation, 10 00:00:35,042 --> 00:00:42,973 excitement, you know, you're a little bit nervous, but it's just neat to know that, you know, 11 00:00:42,973 --> 00:00:47,512 you're one in a series of a very long line of astronauts who've rode in this vehicle going to the pad, 12 00:00:47,512 --> 00:00:50,117 you know, for flight to space. It's pretty cool. 13 00:00:50,117 --> 00:00:54,378 Narrator: Early shuttle crews had fewer astronauts so they rode to the launch pad in an 14 00:00:54,378 --> 00:00:57,022 Apollo-era transport van. 15 00:00:57,022 --> 00:01:02,902 But since 1984, each shuttle crew travelled those nine miles aboard the current vehicle. 16 00:01:02,902 --> 00:01:09,888 The modified Airstream motor home only racked up about 27,000 miles in its 27 years of service. 17 00:01:09,888 --> 00:01:14,898 That's because it's used solely to transport the astronauts for each mission. 18 00:01:14,898 --> 00:01:17,938 STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson: I always associate this vehicle with flying, 19 00:01:17,938 --> 00:01:21,530 because you only get in here twice. You get in here for TCDT, which, of course, 20 00:01:21,530 --> 00:01:24,923 is the launch rehearsal, and then launch day. 21 00:01:24,923 --> 00:01:29,500 Narrator: The only other time the Astrovan was used was to take the astronauts back to crew quarters 22 00:01:29,500 --> 00:01:31,513 after landing. 23 00:01:31,513 --> 00:01:36,737 The vehicle's appeal is rooted in its tradition rather than its decor. 24 00:01:36,737 --> 00:01:41,423 Ferguson: It's not really extravagant it's kind of like bench seating. And it's pretty crowded on launch 25 00:01:41,423 --> 00:01:46,470 day, especially with a crew of seven I think everyone's trying to cut the tension with a joke or two from 26 00:01:46,470 --> 00:01:47,898 time to time." 27 00:01:47,898 --> 00:01:52,310 Narrator: The interior's narrow center aisle is paralleled by long benches. 28 00:01:52,310 --> 00:01:57,362 Lift-out sections accommodate the ventilator units used to circulate cool air through the astronauts 29 00:01:57,362 --> 00:02:00,362 bulky orange launch-and-entry suits. 30 00:02:00,362 --> 00:02:06,478 Ferguson: This is the only place that they have liquid air. And liquid air is really, really good. 31 00:02:06,478 --> 00:02:12,677 You know we have this cooling garment that circulates water cooling and in the hot Florida sun it's 32 00:02:12,677 --> 00:02:18,435 nice to have it. But they plug that liquid air into you and it just blows this cool air throughout your suit, 33 00:02:18,435 --> 00:02:22,183 and it's really nice because it actually dries you, and the only place we get to have it is in here. 34 00:02:22,183 --> 00:02:26,248 And I don't know why but it's like a special treat on launch day. 35 00:02:26,248 --> 00:02:30,552 Narrator: And while each crew no doubt had their own unique take on their ride to the launch pad, 36 00:02:30,552 --> 00:02:36,747 shuttle Atlantis STS-135 mission crew took in the significance of the final ride for the 37 00:02:36,747 --> 00:02:38,837 Space Shuttle Program. 38 00:02:38,837 --> 00:02:42,428 Ferguson: It was really special this time because there were so many people here. 39 00:02:42,428 --> 00:02:47,362 And I think even though it's kind of an anxious time as you head out to the launch pad because you 40 00:02:47,362 --> 00:02:51,487 know this might actually be the day, on this particular day, you know the last flight, 41 00:02:51,487 --> 00:02:55,907 I think we were all amazed at how many people showed up. 42 00:02:55,907 --> 00:03:02,062 but even on the road, you hang the right turn to go to the pad, and the road was lined with people 43 00:03:02,062 --> 00:03:08,672 waving American flags. It made me feel good, you know, to know that the shuttle program meant this 44 00:03:08,672 --> 00:03:13,248 much to so many people, and not just national, but international. I mean, a lot of people turned out to 45 00:03:13,248 --> 00:03:16,840 watch, you know, the grand finale, if you would. 46 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,747 Narrator: While the vehicle won't be taking any more shuttle crews to the launch pad, 47 00:03:20,747 --> 00:03:28,207 NASA plans to keep it ready to ferry future astronaut crews to the pad. 48 00:03:28,207 --> 00:03:31,758 Hurley: I would like to keep this tradition. I don't know if any of us will get to fly on the next vehicle, 49 00:03:31,758 --> 00:03:37,558 whatever that vehicle may be, U.S vehicle. It would be kind of neat to have some of it be the same. 50 00:03:37,558 --> 00:03:41,547 STS-135 Astronaut Sandy Magnus: Actually traditions are important in a business like this to keep 51 00:03:41,547 --> 00:03:42,927 everybody connected. 52 00:03:42,927 --> 00:03:50,400 Ferguson: Everybody ready? Hold on everybody. 53 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:56,010 Narrator: So, after riding the Astrovan to the launch pad a number of times, what would it be like if a 54 00:03:56,010 --> 00:04:00,000 space shuttle commander got the keys to take it for a spin? 55 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:03,793 STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson found out. 56 00:04:03,793 --> 00:04:07,020 Ferguson: 0-to-35 in a minute-and-a-half!