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This is a remotely controlled robot used to test the tires of the Space Shuttles to destruction by seeing how much damage they can sustain before popping.

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The robot's sole means of interacting with its environment is a high speed drill used to bore holes in the landing gear of the Space Shuttles.

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The reason that a robot is used is because those tires are under a lot of pressure, and when they finally go, they practically explode. Not to mention that something the size of a Space Shuttle listing to one side because part of its landing gear just gave out can squish people and nearby objects if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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The first liquid fuel rocket motor used by NASA.

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One of the propeller blades from Helios - it weighs about as much as eighteen (18) standard CD discs.