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Tanks From Retired Shuttle Endeavour Going To Space Station

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The space shuttle Endeavour is retired and on display at the California Science Center, but it's still contributing to the space program.

NASA engineers are working this week to remove four tanks from the shuttle for use as potable water storage on the International Space Station.

Science Center President Jeff Rudolph said Wednesday that the tanks, which measure about 3 feet by 1 foot and weigh 40 pounds empty, are from deep inside the orbiter, so museum visitors won't notice they're gone.

Endeavour, which flew from 1992 until 2011, has been on exhibit in Los Angeles for three years and is the most complete iteration of a grounded shuttle on display.

NASA's Steve Lighthill says shuttle Atlantis had its water tanks removed in May for the same purpose.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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