“And that, I think, will inspire so many people. And it’s almost overwhelming how huge it is,” Rudolph said. “That’s the view we’re gonna give people - like, they’re right at the base of the launchpad looking up at this shuttle stack. Roughly halfway through the building’s construction, the shuttle will be moved into the structure, and the rest of the building will then be finished.Īstronauts have cheered the Science Center for designing the exhibit so that people will be able to see the last space shuttle ever built in a way relatively few have seen it before.

Building construction of the California Science Center’s Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will probably take three years, but it will take longer for the interior to be completed. Once complete, the exhibit will be what’s believed to be the tallest vertical authentic spacecraft display in the world. Of the three surviving space shuttles, Endeavour will be the only one displayed with its nose pointing to the stars, and will be fully attached to the last remaining authentic orange external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. Endeavour shown here atop a modified Boeing 747 in anticipation of its upcoming ferry flight, slated for Wednesday.In a milestone, the Los Angeles home of the retired space shuttle Endeavour broke ground Wednesday on a permanent museum, which ultimately envisions the spacecraft displayed as if ready for launch. Its new resting place will be the California Science Center, where NASA officials say they hope it will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of space explorers. After 25 missions, Endeavour was retired, along with the other members of NASA’s shuttle fleet. Equipment is transferred from Endeavour’s payload bay to the ISS during the shuttle’s final mission. Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from its launch pad on the Space Coast for its final mission.

Space shuttle Endeavour makes its last rollout for its final launch in the spring of 2011. Endeavour glides in for a landing at Kennedy Space Center in 2010. Endeavour glides in for a landing at Edwards Air Force Base in November 2008 after being diverted from its original landing destination at Kennedy Space Center due to poor weather. Endeavour launches into orbit in March 2008 for a trip to the ISS. NASA/Bill Ingalls Another major milestone, Endeavour made the first Hubble telescope servicing mission.

Endeavour also carried the first Japanese astronaut aboard a NASA shuttle, as well as the first married couple to make a flight on the same mission. During that time, Endeavour achieved a number of firsts, including the delivery of the first American-made component to the ISS, as well as the first flight of an African American female astronaut into space. During its nearly two decades in service, Endeavour traveled 122,883,151 miles. The shuttle was named after the ship of First Lieutenant James Cook, who first traversed through Cook Straight in 1770. Endeavour is seen passing over Cook Straight, New Zealand, in 2002 as it prepares to dock with the ISS. Endeavour’s first mission astronauts completed four space walks, including the first spacewalk in which three astronauts participated simultaneously. As Endeavour prepares to make the journey from Kennedy Space Center to its new home in California, we’re taking a look back at the shuttle, its rich history and major milestones.

Space shuttle endeavor photos