Space Shuttle Endeavour to LAX (planning)

[JDANDO]

Hey guys!

Thinking about a trip west to catch the arrival of Endeavour. Does anyone have some firm dates. Everything I can find say September/October.

I am hoping for better weather patterns that what we had for the New York arrival of Enterprise. The rain forced a cancellation of my trip for that arrival.

Thanks, Jeremy in MN

[Matt Molnar]

I don't think there are any firm dates yet.

It's going to be tough to plan. LA weather is probably fine 90% of the time, but there's a whole lot of sky between Florida and Cali that can potentially cause delays. It'll also have to make at least one or two stops along the way.

[NickPeterman]

I saw some info on it a few weeks back, but cannot seem to find it again. It will be stopping in Houston though, and staying a day or two. I thought it was FL-TX on a Monday, TX-CA on a Wednesday or something like that.

[JDANDO]

This fall, Endeavour will finally be on her way back home to California! Endeavour will fly across the country on the back of a specially modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, arriving at LAX (weather permitting) on September 20, 2012.

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php

Tickets are booked, hotel is booked and car is reserved!

Anyone else going to be there?

[yankees368]

Holy hell! I will just happen to be in LA and already planned on spotting on that exact day. What are the odds?!

[Zee71]

I will be in LA as well...............but my issue will be if I can breakaway for a tad to catch this historic event.

[JDANDO]

Bump!

Jason, Mark you guys still in? Should we have a NYCA get together? I will be the guy with the big white lens.....bwahahahahahahaha

PM me with your cell info if you want to meet up.


I am really psyched about this. Last week I met Curt Brown, one of the mission specialists that flew in Endeavour!!!

[MSN007]

Bump!

Jason, Mark you guys still in? Should we have a NYCA get together? I will be the guy with the big white lens.....bwahahahahahahaha

PM me with your cell info if you want to meet up.


I am really psyched about this. Last week I met Curt Brown, on of the mission specialists that flew in Endeavour!!!

I will be camping three days at JFK for UN next week starting Monday and flying out from JFK on Wednesday night arriving in LAX Wednesday around 11:30pm for a day long spotting on Thursday. We can defiantly hang out together along with any of the spotters in the group.

[yankees368]

Does anyone have any runway info yet?

[JDANDO]

Does anyone have any runway info yet?

Jason;

I have not seen any runway information other than this;

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_21475711/cities-along-space-shuttle-endeavours-travel-path-expect


For the NYC crew, how big of a turnout was there for that shuttle arrival? Should I expect a bazzilion people standing armpit to armpit? What callsign will the plane use? It appears the will be NASA905.

[yankees368]

The crowd, for such a cold windy day, was large:
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac1/yankees368/Space%20Shuttle/avatar-6.jpg

[tlabranche]

The shuttle will make a stop in Houston on Monday, September 17th. It will hang here until September 19th. It will fly over downtown, Bush Intercontinental, Hobby Airport, and the Johnson Space Center. It will then land at Ellington Field. Since I live about 10 minutes from where the shuttle will land, and be on public display; I plan on getting my shots of it then. NASA hasn't released the official flight plan as it did for the previous 747 flights. I will ask an ATC friend at Hobby airport on Monday morning when the expected flyby for Hobby is. I will plan on getting that first and then a static display shot.

[MSN007]

Jason;

I have not seen any runway information other than this;

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_21475711/cities-along-space-shuttle-endeavours-travel-path-expect


For the NYC crew, how big of a turnout was there for that shuttle arrival? Should I expect a bazzilion people standing armpit to armpit? What callsign will the plane use? It appears the will be NASA905.

According to the article we might be at Imperial hill. It would have been perfect if it was on in N out park since I have a perfect spot for it. If imperial hill I might have to be illegal for a moment to shoot it still in the air.

[Zee71]

If they are on the south Rwy, I recommend the Proud Bird (but I may park there and walk down the street to get a less obscured shot without trees). At the Pround Bird you will need a lens that is in the range of 24-120 my 70-200 was usable but I had to back up. Plus at the Proud bird you will only have a couple of shots because of the trees (just like the mounds).

[NickPeterman]

Imperial Hill will have crap light this time of year, no?

[moose135]

Imperial Hill will have crap light this time of year, no?
Like I said when they flew Enterprise to NYC - It's the freaking Space Shuttle on a 747. I don't care what kind of light it is, I'm shooting it!

[Gerard]

Like I said when they flew Enterprise to NYC - It's the freaking Space Shuttle on a 747. I don't care what kind of light it is, I'm shooting it!

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and with any camera available!!!:biggrin:

[NickPeterman]

:redface: Well, I already caught one...

So I can be picky now!

[JDANDO]

Hey Gang!

Has anyone seen any additional information on runway usage?

This thread on anet (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/military/read.main/145452/) is saying 25R. See post 14.

jeremy

[MSN007]

Hey Gang!

Has anyone seen any additional information on runway usage?

This thread on anet (http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/military/read.main/145452/) is saying 25R. See post 14.

jeremy

I don't think we will know for sure which runway until the day off. To me 24R makes lots of sense as they have done so for other events like the A380. The in N out park makes it easier to see for everyone and that's where I am betting my 50 cents. However, if they bring it on the 24s that means street closure and on foot traffic allowed so I wouldn't worry.

[NickPeterman]

Weather is already complicating things...

They hope to still have her in LA by Thursday, but we'll see. I can't imagine they'd want to shortcut the people who may have planned to see it in Houston by a full day...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/16/us/shuttle-flight-postponed/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

[JDANDO]

Weather is already complicating things...

They hope to still have her in LA by Thursday, but we'll see. I can't imagine they'd want to shortcut the people who may have planned to see it in Houston by a full day...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/16/us/shuttle-flight-postponed/index.html?hpt=hp_t3


Throw SFO under the bus :rolleyes:

[Zee71]

Spoke with a few local LAX spotters and they will be positioning themselves at Imperial Hill early Thursday morning (around 5:30am to get a parking spot). They expect a low pass around 500' on the south runways before landing on one of the south runways. I will try to get some more details. As of now I may head for Imperial Hill in the early morning hours.

[Zee71]

Passed by Imperial Hill today (9/17), lots of no parking signs are posted.

[JDANDO]

Oh oh......

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/space-shuttle-endeavour-la-arrival-pushed-friday.html

[MSN007]

Oh oh......

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/space-shuttle-endeavour-la-arrival-pushed-friday.html

What is this mean? Today mid day it went back to its original schedule?
ut on Sunday, NASA officials said the flight would be*delayed*a day because of storms between Florida and Houston. Midday Monday, NASA announced the departure had again been pushed back, to dawn Wednesday

[moose135]

It means that just like when Enterprise came to NYC, there are no guarantees until you see actual video evidence of it airborne out of KSC.

[JDANDO]

Looks like plan B is in effect. Good thing I have a plan C as well!!!

This gives me more time to scope out the good spots :cool:

[Zee71]

Right now.......I'm still in favor of Imperial Hill but I still think the Proud Bird as a secondary option. Won't decide till the day of the event.

[gonzalu]

Imperial Hill is wrought with Heat Haze and obstructions but you will get a nice background... Proud Bird would be my preference for a crisp shot in the air :smile:

[JDANDO]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N905NA

Looks like they will get the show on the road this morning!

[Speedbird1]

There have been delays due to poor weather down at the KSC. Endeavour is scheduled to depart this morning and do a fly-over the Space Coast then on to Houston for an overnight. On Sept. 20, on to Dryden. Finally, Sept 21 arrive at LAX. Last night's news showed protests as in LA they nust remove trees to make way for the Endeavour aboard the large tractor. Imagine the photos we could take. Hope to see many of these.

[JDANDO]

...Last night's news showed protests as in LA they nust remove trees to make way for the Endeavour aboard the large tractor. Imagine the photos we could take. Hope to see many of these.

I might just have to take a picture of one of the trees :confused: and have a chat with one of the tree people.

Just watched the take off on the internet. It gave me goose bumps!

[NickPeterman]

Saw Endeavour and the SCA this morning when they did their flyby of the Texas State Capitol here in Austin. She looks good!


Not as good as the Discovery did, but alas :wink:

[MSN007]

I blew off LA thanks to NASA. I was going to cuss but there might be kids here.

[Gerard]

Cant believe my son missed this. And the "A" Mountain they flew passed is a great location that overlooks Tucson!! Been up there a number of times. Would have been a great place to see this.
http://azstarnet.com/photo/endeavour-flies-over-tucson/collection_b658921e-0359-11e2-bf8a-001a4bcf887a.html

[moose135]

Very cool. Nearly 40 years ago, we took a vacation to Tucson, and I remember going up on the A Mountain to look over the city.

[JDANDO]

Hey Gang;

It was a day of planning, spotting, planning and spotting.

It seems it will be a media circus out here; Proud Bird is sold out for a morning of buffet/spotting(they will not let people in the parking lot with out a reservation), Imperial hill has police tape and chalk boxes for the various news media (did not see the NYCA box :confused: ).

Spotted with the guys from Phoenix aviation, met some guys from Nashville, Long Beach and a few other places.

Stay tuned!!

[Zee71]

Yes.....its a media circus at the Hill and forget the proud bird. Planning on hitting Imperial Hill early in the morning until the shuttle arrives.

[Gerard]

Yes.....its a media circus at the Hill and forget the proud bird. Planning on hitting Imperial Hill early in the morning until the shuttle arrives.

Where did they go after Tucson? Thought they were heading directly to LA after that.

[NickPeterman]

Edwards AFB, they will then do some CA overflights before full stop at LAX

[Chris S]

BTW, I see Toyota jumped on the opportunity to do a series of commercials for their Tundra truck with Endeavour. :rolleyes:I guess the CSC had to find some way to pay for cutting down ALL those trees in LA and replacing them also :confused: LOL


http://youtu.be/9huNSUY6s_4


http://youtu.be/JSMT2Y6OMg0

[Speedbird1]

Wish we could be in LA today. The Endeavour atop the SCA will be making fly-bys all over Southern California before touching-down at LAX. My question is which of the runways will she arrive on? Will she approach over the Pacific? I would predict no, as few spotters could see her from the Ocean approach. Since NASA wants the maximum publicity, I doubt she'd use the 7 or 6 Runway Complex. Will she land on the longest runway or the widest runway? They are not the same. After the landing, how could I find-out? Spotters like us are curious about such things. Passur won't be of help, as it only reveals commercial and not military flights. I'd love to track this amazing flight. Even Flight Aware has no inflormation about N905NA, which is the SCA.

[moose135]

The NASA birds are government, but not military - if I remember, they were on FlightAware when they brought Enterprise to NYC.

[JDANDO]

It is all about logistics.

Hear are a few snapshots from the scouting trip

Welcome to LAX
http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-66WqBWK/0/XL/IMG8519a-XL.jpg

From the Proud Bird (maybe DERF can photoshop the shuttle in when I miss it)
http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-8H7zrG8/0/XL/1S7T8389a-XL.jpg

From Imperial Hill (with the "marine layer")
http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-d24t6bS/0/XL/IMG8493a-XL.jpg

Spent some time at In and Out



http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-gV9Q37N/0/XL/1S7T8515a-XL.jpg

Had some "The Animal Style" fries must have affected by AF it seems to be hunting more than usual
http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-VJDpHqG/0/L/1S7T8527a-L.jpg

One arrival

http://jeremyd.smugmug.com/Airplanes/20sep2012-lax/i-qg9DrMN/0/XL/IMG8522a-XL.jpg


Hopefully I will get a picture or two of Endeavour today!

[gonzalu]

Love the last shot, Jeremy :-) You should be able to get good shots... Imperial Hill is a big place... Or you could always do what I do and suicide!!!! :tongue:

[Gerard]

Edwards AFB, they will then do some CA overflights before full stop at LAX

Ah ha, thank you kind sir!! :smile:

[PhilDernerJr]

And that's that. With that landing, unless one is moved by helicopter for some reason in the future, you'll never see an airborne Space Shuttle again.

[Zee71]

I ended up at Imperial Hill to catch the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I arrived around 5:30am in order to find a parking spot that was close enough and to find a suitable location. My parking spot was about 4 short blocks from Imperial Hill, at the hill plenty of folks had already claimed prime spots. I ended up being behind those individuals. Standing from the early morning hours till the shuttle made her pass over runways 25 was no easy task. As the shuttle became visible in the mountain hazy people cheered as the she made her way to downtown Los Angeles. The shuttle made her first low pass at around 700 feet over the 24s at LAX (which must have been a great sight from the terminals). The cheers were even louder as she made her first LAX pass. After flying over other notable Los Angeles landmarks the shuttle made another low pass but this time it was over the 25s and the crowd roared with enthusiasm. I managed to get a few shots which I will post once I return home. When I left the hill there must have at least a thousand or more people up and down the hill. Even folks on the roof of their home, call it spotting craziness! The shuttle finally landed on runway 25R ending her journey.

[gonzalu]

Mark, how far did she roll out? In front of the hill or past it? And then, did it move on somewhere at the very far end or back towards the Museum/Cargo area.. ?

Great pics you sent me BTW :-)

[Gerard]

I ended up at Imperial Hill to catch the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I arrived around 5:30am in order to find a parking spot that was close enough and to find a suitable location. My parking spot was about 4 short blocks from Imperial Hill, at the hill plenty of folks had already claimed prime spots. I ended up being behind those individuals. Standing from the early morning hours till the shuttle made her pass over runways 25 was no easy task. As the shuttle became visible in the mountain hazy people cheered as the she made her way to downtown Los Angeles. The shuttle made her first low pass at around 700 feet over the 24s at LAX (which must have been a great sight from the terminals). The cheers were even louder as she made her first LAX pass. After flying over other notable Los Angeles landmarks the shuttle made another low pass but this time it was over the 25s and the crowd roared with enthusiasm. I managed to get a few shots which I will post once I return home. When I left the hill there must have at least a thousand or more people up and down the hill. Even folks on the roof of their home, call it spotting craziness! The shuttle finally landed on runway 25R ending her journey.

Sounds like a great aviation event. Thanks for the report and cant wait to see your pics. Have seen a number already on FB and it looks pretty cool.

[JDANDO]

Just got back to the hotel room. A long day in the field; Kevin and I went down to the Proud Bird area at 0730. Got a prime location and watched the madness build around us. Got the usual LAX traffic while waiting. Got the some decent shots, but a few light poles jumped into my shots.

Spent the rest of the around LAX and hanging with other spotters from OKC, Phoenix, Preswick Scotland and the locals.

Ended up at Imperial Hill for a couple night shots. No tripod with me, but a gorrila pod onto the fence may yield something.

It has been a great trip so far, and we still have 1/2 a day left!

[Zee71]

Manny .... As soon as she made her second low pass at LAX I hustled back to my car. She landed on 25R and my understanding was she was not going to be by the museum but rolled out to the end of the runway by the United hanger. There is where they staged all the dignitaries as well as the cranes, which were already assembled.

[Speedbird1]

For the record what was the exact time of touchdown at LAX? Wish I was there however I get panic attacks when I see large crowds. Nice to see the enthusiasm out West for the Endeavour. I had predicted the wrong runway arrival. I figured she would arrive on the north side closer to the UAL Hangar; on 1 of the 24's. I even thought they would go for the widest runway (200')25L, but she arrived on the longest runway. Very interesting. The landing made NBC Nightly News as well as the controversy regarding the removal of hundreds of trees to widen the pathway. Looking at a map, I thought they would use a freeway but evidently they will go through residential areas. Imagine seeing a Shuttle pass by your house next month!

[Zee71]

I don't have an exact touchdown time but it was near 1pm. Went to the field early this morning and the Endeavour was already removed off the SCA. Virtually impossible to get a clean shot of her. Looking back I think I probably would have gotten better images from Burger King since everyone flocked to Imperial Hill.

[Gerard]

Went to the field early this morning and the Endeavour was already removed off the SCA. Virtually impossible to get a clean shot

Boy that was FAST!!!

[Speedbird1]

I agree. I can't see any Shuttles being flown in the air anytime soon. Even if the Intrepid builds their new pavilion across 12th Ave., it would most certainly get moved by tractor-trailer across the avenue. So now it's over, all the Orbiters have been flown-out and delivered; reminds me how I felt after Concordes retired and after the final flight. The saddest part is we have no passenger SST nor any Orbiter on the horizon. Sad for the U.S.

[Gerard]

Pictures? :confused: ANYONE???:eek:

[JDANDO]

Pictures? :confused: ANYONE???:eek:

We are all jet-lagged, sunburnt and dog-tired :tongue:

Plus they are on my laptop and I can not find my flash drive to transfer them to my desktop.

I will start a new thread for the pictures today!