Sunday, October 14, 2012

Space Shuttle Endeavour takes its last mission throught Los Angeles

Hi all - Just wanted to share a little about the Space Shuttle Endeavour as it makes it way through Los Angeles on it's last journey.

Endeavour descending for a landing into LAX.

Memories
In 1981 I remember I was in 7th grade and my science teacher brought in a TV and we watched the Space Shuttle Columbia blast off in space and I felt a chill down my spine. I knew that moment was special and it's been a memory that's stayed with me. I was proud to see America's space journey continue.

Endeavour on the lauchpad.

In 1986, I was a senior at Manchester Central high school in Manchester, NH and I was in math class - Algebra II. The class just started. Miss Mantineo was on the board writing problems and an announcement came over the loudspeaker that we'd lost the space shuttle challenger and Christa McAuffle. I bawled like a baby. Half the class. Miss Mantineo was so shocked, she stumbled back to her chair and sat there stunned. Again, the memory is so poignant, I can still see it in my mind over 25 years later.

Endeavour being placed on it's transporter.

Endeavour was the fifth and final spaceworthy NASA space shuttle to be built, constructed as a replacement for Challenger. It first flew in May 1992.

Endeavor leaving LAX.

I was working the 911 phones for LAPD when Endeavor began it's journey though the streets of LA. Endeavour's last flight into space was May 2011.

Endeavor crusing through LA at 2 mph.

NASA chose to build Endeavour from spares rather than refitting Enterprise or accepting a Rockwell International proposal to build two shuttles for the price of one of the original shuttles, on cost grounds.The orbiter is named after the British HMS Endeavour, the ship which took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery (1768–1771).[5] This is why the name is spelled in the British English manner, rather than the American English ("Endeavor").

Endeavour turning a corner.


It's not everyday the space shuttle passes through ordinary streets.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will spend it's retirement at the California Science Center in LA.


It's due to arrive later on today. I'd love to hear your thoughts, memories, impressions, opinions on the space shuttles. I hope you've enjoyed the journey as I have.

Smiles
Steph

Reference for this post taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Endeavour

11 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC pictures. I also enjoyed reading your memories of the Space Shuttles. Thank you for sharing Steph.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Mona. I'm very excited the Shuttle is coming to LA. Now I have to find time to visit with the boys.

    Smiles
    Steph

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great pictures! I didn't manage to come down to L.A. to see it in person (and given how long they were delayed, I am glad that I didn't) but I definitely plan to visit it at its new home at some point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't get a chance to see it in person either, but I hope to visit the Endeavour when the science museum opens up the exhibit.

      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  4. What great pictures, Stephanie, thanks for sharing. I visited the US this year for the first time and was thrilled to see the 'Enterprise' temporarily 'docked' at JKA as we taxied down the runway at JKA en route to Pennsylvania. That was such a thrill and something I'll never forget.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How, how exciting! Were you able to get any pictures. I can imagine it was breathtaking.

      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  5. I too remember those days. I hope the journey continues and we don't abandoned our dreams of discovery. Great pics! I'm just jealous that the USAF Museum here didn't get it! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, lol! I totally understand. Interestingly, this area of southern California has a lot of ties to the space industries - from building rockets, etc. I was surprised to learn just how important so Cal was to the space program.

      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  6. Thank you for memorable memories with this blog post. I'm glad we're preserving The Endeavour, but am sad at the shut down of the space program and the 400 trees which went down to make this journey for us possible.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jude, I feel the same way, trust me. It's sad to lose all those trees. I hope some could be transplanted or saved. I suppose we'll never know.

      Steph

      Delete
  7. Wonderful photos. I've been watching this on TV.

    Did you know they cut down four hundred trees so Endeavor's wings could fit down the roads leading to the museum?

    The museum will be planting eight hundred trees to replace the one cut down. However, a lot of people are still upset about the the trees even though in a few short years, you'll never know they were gone.

    Janice~

    ReplyDelete