 |
| Endeavour shown here atop a modified Boeing 747 in anticipation of its upcoming ferry flight. |
Endeavour – the last NASA shuttle ever constructed – is slated to journey to a new home this week, as it prepares to leave Kennedy Space Center aboard a modified Boeing 747 and head toward Los Angeles, California.
After a series of delays due to anticipated thunderstorms along Endeavour’s route, the scheduled ferry flight has been pushed back to a Wednesday morning sunrise takeoff.
NASA officials say they are currently discussing how the delays will affect Endeavour’s flight plan, which was originally slated to include a stop in Houston ahead of a Thursday arrival in L.A. The space shuttle is now expected to arrive on Friday.
Built to replace Challenger after the tragic loss of the shuttle in 1986, Endeavour made a total of 25 missions before its retirement in the spring of last year. During those missions, the shuttle covered 122,883,151 miles, spent 299 days in orbit and accomplished a number of major milestones, including the delivery of the first American-made component to the International Space Station and the flight of the first African-American female astronaut into space.
After arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Endeavour will make a 12-mile journey through the streets to its new resting place, the California Science Center. Thousands are expected to turn out for both the shuttle’s final flight and its parade through the city.
Endeavour is the second shuttle amongst NASA’s retired fleet to make the trip to its new home. Enterprise was ferried from Kennedy Space Center to New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum earlier this year.
Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off during its first flight in 1992. The spacecraft was built as a replacement for Challenger in the wake of the 1986 tragedy.
Endeavour's first mission astronauts completed four space walks, including the first spacewalk in which three astronauts participated simultaneously.
Endeavour is seen passing over Cook Straight, New Zealand, in 2002 as it prepares to dock with the ISS. The shuttle was named after the ship of First Lieutenant James Cook, who first traversed through Cook Straight in 1770.
During its nearly two decades in service, Endeavour traveled 122,883,151 miles.
It also spent nearly 300 days in orbit.
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.
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.
Another major milestone, Endeavour made the first Hubble telescope servicing mission.
Endeavour launches into orbit in March 2008 for a trip to the ISS.
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 glides in for a landing at Kennedy Space Center in 2010.
Space shuttle Endeavour makes its last rollout for its final launch in the spring of 2011.
Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from its launch pad on the Space Coast for its final mission.
Equipment is transferred from Endeavour's payload bay to the ISS during the shuttle's final mission.
After 25 missions, Endeavour was retired, along with the other members of NASA's shuttle fleet.
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.
Source: FlyingMag
If you don't remember this, your car may be stolen!
ReplyDeleteImagine that your vehicle was taken! When you visit the police, they inquire about a specific "VIN search"
A VIN decoder: What is it?
Similar to a passport, the "VIN decoder" allows you to find out when the car was born and who its "parent"( manufacturing plant) is. Additionally, you can find:
1.Type of engine
2.Model of a car
3.The DMV and the limitations it imposes
4.The number of drivers in this vehicle
You'll be able to locate the car, and keeping in mind the code ensures your safety. The code can be viewed in the online database. The VIN is situated on various parts of the car to make it harder for thieves to steal, such as the first person seated on the floor, the frame (often in trucks and SUVs), the spar, and other areas.
What if the VIN is intentionally harmed?
There are numerous circumstances that can result in VIN damage, but failing to have one will have unpleasant repercussions because it is illegal to intentionally harm a VIN in order to avoid going to jail or the police. You could receive a fine of up to 80,000 rubles and spend two years in jail. You might be held up on the road by a teacher.
Conclusion.
The VIN decoder may help to save your car from theft. But where can you check the car reality? This is why we exist– VIN decoders!