Space Shuttle Endeavour was added to Your Favorites!
Los Angeles, California
Claim this place to tell your story your way.
Endeavour was constructed as a replacement for the Challenger, which tragically exploded in 1986.
The shuttle was flown atop a modified Boeing 747 from Florida to California and then driven through the streets of Los Angeles to its final home.
Endeavour flew 25 missions between 1992 and 2011, contributing significantly to the construction of the International Space Station.
A small piece of wood from the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer was taken aboard Endeavour during its first flight.
The shuttle was named after the British ship HMS Endeavour, commanded by Captain James Cook during his first voyage of discovery.
Thousands of people lined the streets of Los Angeles to witness the shuttle's 12-mile journey to the California Science Center.
The shuttle deployed several satellites and conducted experiments in space, including the first three-person spacewalk to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Endeavour's thermal protection system consists of over 24,000 tiles, each uniquely shaped to withstand the heat of re-entry.
The shuttle was built using spare parts from other shuttles, showcasing the collaborative spirit of NASA's engineers and scientists.
