/sci/ - Science & Math

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/rocks-and-rockets-from-alabama-rivers-to-kennedy-florida-crawlerway.html

> River rocks are mostly quartz, round and 3-4 inches in diameter, important features for high weight tolerances. They act as ball bearings that allow the crawler to turn with minimal issues. When the weight of the crawler rolls over the rocks, they absorb energy from compaction, helping to reduce the vibration on the surface that could cause damage to any flight hardware being transported. In addition to being easily accessible and affordable, river rock provides the right kind of support the crawler needs.

> NASA has a history of buying rocks from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia due to their proximity to Florida. The last river rock order placed came from Jemison, Alabama for a major upgrade completed in 2014. Since then, smaller upgrades have been made as needed. In total, the crawlerway currently contains about 70,000 tons of Alabama river rock. Prior to the launch of Artemis II, the team at Kennedy will perform another major upgrade on the crawlerway.