SCA Arrival at KSC on Sept. 11 for Endeavour Ferry Flight to California on Sep. 17. Credit: Ken Kremer
The clock is rapidly ticking down on the final days of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as the proud home of NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour.
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, the modified 747 Jumbo Jet that will ferry shuttle Endeavour piggy-back style cross-country to her new eternal home in California arrived at KSC.
The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, touched down at the shuttle landing strip at KSC at about 5:05 p.m. EDT. See the gallery of approach and landing photos.
Image Caption: SCA Arrival at KSC on Sept. 11 for Endeavour Ferry Flight to California on Sep. 17. Credit: Ken Kremer
SCA Arrival at KSC on Sept. 11 for Endeavour Ferry Flight to California on Sep. 17. Credit: Ken Kremer
SCA Arrival Photo. Credit: Ken Kremer
The 747 landing marks the start of the process that culminates soon with the final airborne flight of the orbiter in the history of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.
On Friday, Sept. 14 Endeavour will be hauled out of the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for the final time and moved to the Shuttle Landing Facility where she will be hoisted and mated onto the back of the jumbo jet, designated NASA 905.
SCA Arrival Photo. Credit: Jeff Seibert/wiredforspace
SCA Arrival Photo. Credit: Jeff Seibert/wiredforspace
The mated pair are due to take off at first light on Monday, Sept.17 weather permitting on a multi day trip across America before landing in California.
The 747 crew will fly perform multiple, crowd pleasing and low flyovers of the space coast area, the KSC Visitor complex and the beaches – which will give every spectator a thrilling front row seat to this thrilling and bittersweet moment in space history as the shuttle takes flight for the very final time.
Watch for my upcoming tour report taking you inside the SCA Jumbo Jet.
And I will be on-site at KSC providing on-site Endeavour departure coverage for Universe Today readers through the dramatic takeoff on Sept 17.
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SCA Arrival Photos Credit: Klaus Krueger
Unless someone’s maliceously Photoshopped Endeavour out of all the images, do we really need to see eight pictures of just the Jumbo?
These are the last few flights for the SCAs as well. IIRC they will end their days as a source of parts to keep the SOFIA Boeing 747 IR observatory flying.
It’s great to see the SCAs. They represent a design classic that has been flying for the past forty
four years and has changed the world for the better.
Jus’ say’in.
A sad ending to a great endeavor.
As a person that grew up during our unimaginable spectacular entry into Space exploration, I am profoundly saddened by the lack of direction of our political leaders. Budget cutting twits in the Administration. Short sighted bean counters. sigh and whine.