PHOTO FEATURE: Endeavour Begins Journey Through LA Under Cover Of Darkness

Large crowds lined the streets of LA early this morning to get a glimpse of Endeavour's historic journey through the city.  Photo Credit: Mike Killian / Zero-G News
Large crowds lined the streets of LA early this morning to get a glimpse of Endeavour’s historic journey through the city. Photo Credit: Mike Killian / Zero-G News

NASA’s retired space shuttle Endeavour began the slow trek through the streets of Los Angeles early Friday morning, departing from LAX under cover of darkness and heading westbound on Westchester and into the city.  

Crews worked ahead of the orbiter to remove power lines, signs, and other obstacles in the way.  Crews behind Endeavour re-connected the downed power lines while the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) provided security and crowd control.  Thousands of people turned out at 3:00 a.m. to watch Endeavour maneuver through stop lights and trees on her westward trek, following the shuttle from sidewalks as the orbiter slowly made her way through the city.  Although crews fell behind somewhat on their timeline, things appear to be going smoothly as Endeavour prepares for the next leg of her journey late Friday afternoon up Manchester, across the 405 Freeway, and into Inglewood.

Endeavour is currently parked for several hours at the Westchester Shopping Center while crews prepare the next couple miles of Manchester to allow safe passage of NASA’s youngest space shuttle.  A public event to officially welcome Endeavour will take place on Saturday morning at The Forum in Inglewood.

– Click HERE for details regarding public viewing opportunities

BELOW: Photo gallery of Endeavour’s first few hours moving through Los Angeles

All Photos Credit:  Mike Killian / Zero-G News, Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth 

– Coverage of Endeavour’s move through Los Angeles to her new home at the California Science Center done in cooperation with Zero-G News.

Principal Project Manager Steve Wicklund of Pump Engineering is responsible for the installation of plastic mats to protect the roads and underground utilities from the 170,000-pound space shuttle Endeavour's move thought the streets of LA.  Photo Credit: Julian Leek
Principal Project Manager Steve Wicklund of Pump Engineering is responsible for the installation of plastic mats to protect the roads and underground utilities from the 170,000-pound space shuttle Endeavour’s move thought the streets of LA. Photo Credit: Julian Leek
"Shuffling the deck" of plastic mats through the streets of L.A.  Photo Credit: Julian Leek
“Shuffling the deck” of plastic mats through the streets of L.A. Photo Credit: Julian Leek
As the shuttle move gets closer, over 2,700 large steel plates have been installed over its route to protect the underground utilities.  Photo Credit: Julian Leek
As the shuttle move gets closer, over 2,700 large steel plates have been installed over its route to protect the underground utilities. Photo Credit: Julian Leek
Photo Credit: Julian Leek
Photo Credit: Julian Leek
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian
Photo Credit: Mike Killian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Very nice write-up, that was (& pics, of course)….and it JUST GOT BETTER & BETTER AFTER THAT..to the amazement of ALL…!!!

Endeavour over Disneyland last month, moments before landing at LAX. Photo Credit: NASA Dryden / Jim Ross

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