Towed 12 Miles Through Los Angeles, CA, Streets To Its Final Resting Place

The California Science Center has its space shuttle. Endeavour was towed 12 miles through the streets of Los Angeles, CA, over the weekend to the museum, which will open the permanent exhibit on October 30th.

The trek behind a truck began Friday, inching along Martin Luther King Blvd in LA, and was not without its challenges, according to a report appearing on KABC television. The shuttle reportedly came within an inch of several obstacles along the way, and the procession was halted late Saturday night when a small tree that had first been thought would not be a problem had to be removed.

The shuttle, which normally operated at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour in orbit was reduced to a stately two mph as it made its way to the temporary shelter erected at the museum while its permanent display area is finished.

More than a million people reportedly lined the route over the weekend to watch the procession. Some business owners along the route complained that the move cost them a weekend's business. The road was closed for 12 hours longer than anticipated because of the delays in getting the orbiter to the museum.

The station reports that over 400 trees were removed from the route, and powerlines and other obstacles had to be temporarily moved to get Endeavour to its new home. It finally arrived at the museum about 1300 local time Sunday.

(Photo credit NASA/Carla Cioffi)

FMI:  www.californiasciencecenter.org