APOD: A Space Shuttle Over Los Angeles (2012 Sep 26)

[APOD Robot]

A Space Shuttle Over Los Angeles

Explanation: It's not every day that a space shuttle lands at LAX. Although this was a first for the major Los Angeles airport hub, it was a last for the space shuttle Endeavour, as it completed its tour of California skies and landed, albeit atop a 747, for the last time. During its last flight the iconic shuttle and its chase planes were photographed near several of California's own icons including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Hollywood Sign, and the skyline of Los Angeles. Previously, in May, the space shuttle Enterprise was captured passing behind several of New York City's icons on its way to the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. Pictured above, the piggybacking shuttle was snapped on approach last week to LAX as it crossed above and beyond a major Los Angeles street. Now retired, the space shuttles are all museum pieces, with the above shuttle scheduled to be towed along the streets of LA to the California Science Center.

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[/b]

[neufer]

All under the watchful eyes of Bibendum

[Beyond]

As of -this- time, there's no shuttle landing in the "on approach" link to youtube. Lots of plain planes, though.

[Obi Tony Kenobi]

Actually, Endeavour and its 747 carrier are actually a few blocks away from Runway 24L which is right behind those buildings to the right, but it is not on approach, it is doing a flyover of the runway. If it was on approach to land it's landing gear would be down already with full flaps.

[BPCooper]

The photo link to the 'skyline of Los Angeles' is actually a photo of it flying over Houston enroute on Wednesday.

[Moonlady]

Bye Bye Endeavour! What a great journey it had!
Great image, I wonder that the traffic didnt collapse by this historical moment!


Admins, do you think APOD will get any financial support from the companies commercials in this picture?

[agulesin]

That girl on the epix ad is looking the wrong way! A bit of editing would have made that better! (Bibendum) looks wholly bored with the whole thing, mind you, he's looking out the wrong end of his van...

[gwrede2]

I just can't help wondering. The 747 seems to not have its flaps extended at all. That would indicate a much higher speed than that of approaching planes. Flying at such speed at an altitude of less than 50m would cause considerable disturbances to cars and especially unsuspecting pedestrians.

Therefore I suspect this is a photoshop "enhanced" picture, although I could not find any obvious leads in the picture.

[K1NS]

The "major Los Angeles street" is Sepulveda Bl, near the intersection of La Tijera No. (How's that for astronomical accuracy!)

[neufer]

I just can't help wondering. The 747 seems to not have its flaps extended at all. That would indicate a much higher speed than that of approaching planes. Flying at such speed at an altitude of less than 50m would cause considerable disturbances to cars and especially unsuspecting pedestrians.

See Obi Tony Kenobi's post above.

[celestemekent]

I was one of the thousands of people who worked on the space shuttle program for Rockwell Int'l. That time of my life was the best and now I am entering retirement age. It seems so long ago. Like so many other aerospace projects the shuttle program exceeded all expectations.

[emc]

Small world…! I worked for Rockwell International also… Missile Systems Division… a friend of mine transferred to Orlando to work on the Shuttle in the early nineties.

[emc]

All under the watchful eyes of Bibendum

Bibendum really gets a round… Endeavor used to but now it’s re tired.

[RedFishBlueFish]

Sadly and harshly underscores the fact that rides to the ISS are now dependent upon Russia's Soyuz.

When we landed on the moon, had anyone asked me, I would have said we would certainly have a scientific base there within thirty years. How was I too know that the moon landing was basically just a political stunt - and would be all over within three years?

As the shuttle's replacement has been allowed to languish under two very different presidential administrations, I think it has been decided to let the whole American crewed space program fade quietly away.

Amazing though really when you think on it: A street in California without a McDonald's. There is opportunity there: So, turn your eyes from the skies.

[the guess who]

someone else noted: "The photo link to the 'skyline of Los Angeles' is actually a photo of it flying over Houston enroute on Wednesday."
your right that is houston,
fitting since the shuttle belongs in houston and they hung the texas flag upside down on aproach to the gate after they landed wednesday..

[moonstruck]

Sorry, La Tijera Blvd is in Los Angeles.

[neufer]

The photo link to the 'skyline of Los Angeles' is actually a photo of it flying over Houston enroute on Wednesday.

The "major Los Angeles street" is Sepulveda Bl, near the intersection of La Tijera No. (How's that for astronomical accuracy!)

Sorry, La Tijera Blvd is in Los Angeles.

• You are all right.

[Chris Peterson]

Sadly and harshly underscores the fact that rides to the ISS are now dependent upon Russia's Soyuz.

Which is a vastly superior type of vehicle for the purpose in nearly all cases.

[eltodesukane]

I was one of the thousands of people who worked on the space shuttle program for Rockwell Int'l. That time of my life was the best and now I am entering retirement age. It seems so long ago. Like so many other aerospace projects the shuttle program exceeded all expectations.

"the shuttle program exceeded all expectations" ... I would not say that

[Chris Peterson]

I was one of the thousands of people who worked on the space shuttle program for Rockwell Int'l. That time of my life was the best and now I am entering retirement age. It seems so long ago. Like so many other aerospace projects the shuttle program exceeded all expectations.

"the shuttle program exceeded all expectations" ... I would not say that

Me either. In fact, I'd say that on the whole the program was a massive failure. The resources poured into that boondoggle set back the space program by decades.

[StarCuriousAero]

Sad to see the iconic shuttles make their last journey, looking forward to the future of space though, lest we forget the shuttles already have a functioning partial replacement. Manned missions to be coming 2015!
http://www.itwire.com/science-news/spac ... ght-to-iss
Can't wait to see it all again in 2 weeks! October 7!

[ta152h0]

This 747 must be a low time airframe. Any future plans for the silver bird ???

[NGC3314]

Both Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are slated to become spare-parts sources for the SOFIA observatory.

[Boomer12k]

"Sign, Sign....Everywhere a sign...."

I wonder if they broke any Noise Ordinances flying by that low?????


Hope you arrive safely, Endeavor....

:---[===] *

[RJN]

The photo link to the 'skyline of Los Angeles' is actually a photo of it flying over Houston enroute on Wednesday.

Thanks! I just swapped out that image link to one that is more accurate. - RJN