One of the Last Remaining Fuel Tanks of NASA

So, If you’ve never seen a NASA external fuel tank up close simply drive across the Shands Bridge and look ashore on the far right side. You don’t even have to get out of your car.  You will see a yuge, yes….huge orange capsule-looking thing.  That, my friend, is a NASA fuel tank AND…. If you visit it, you can get in a geocache…. YUP. There is one there at the end of the fuel tank. SO! ( If you don’t know what geocaching is…google it. It’s basically treasure hunting from your phone).

It is rare to see a fuel tank because when they go into space, they tend to burn up when they re-enter the earth’s atmosphere. In addition, they don’t use these any more…

According to reports from Roadside America, the tank is “longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall and built in the 1970’s.”  The most Angeles Times says that it is 153.8 feet in length and “taller than a 15 story building”.   So, if you want to see something as long as Lady Liberty is tall, this is your stop and it’s free in Green Cove Springs, Florida, just over the county line.

When I was at Kennedy Space Shuttle back-in-the-day, I saw this item on display.  My understanding is that after the space shuttle era ended in 2011, they had this as a museum artifact.  Some time around 2013, it was loaded on a barge, trailer and all, and carried to this Green Cove Springs boat yard.  It’s still there.

I don’t know of another fuel tank that you could see except for that of the one at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.  This one is a free look. You have to pay to see the one in CA. Take your pick, ya’ll.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources, RoadSide America, California Science Center, NASA

See it here- 3939 Reynolds Blvd, Green Cove Springs, Fl ( I don’t know how long it will be here. It’s been here at least since about 2013 but…who knows?)

Cost:- FREE