NASA has released archival photography documenting the final ferry flight of the space shuttle Endeavour, which took place on September 21, 2012. During this mission, the shuttle was transported atop a 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, flying over various California landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Getty Center, and the Hollywood sign.
The documentation effort involved a team of two photographers and one videographer from NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. The flight path was coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Los Angeles International Airport, and the Los Angeles Police Department to ensure safety around obstacles like power lines and radio antennas.
Endeavour completed 25 missions during its service, including the delivery of the first components for the International Space Station. The shuttle is now housed at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it will be displayed in an upright launch position at the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
The exhibit at the California Science Center is scheduled to reopen to the public on the weekend of November 13. The display features both the shuttle itself and a collection of images captured by the NASA team during its final journey across the state.
