Space Shuttle Endeavour

File:Endeavour rollout ceremony.jpg

File:STS-118 approaching ISS.jpg as it approached the station during STS-118]]

File:Endeavour silhouette STS-130.jpg and mesosphere in this 2010 photo taken from the International Space Station]]

Following the loss of Challenger in 1986, NASA was authorized to begin the procurement process for a replacement orbiter. A major refit of the prototype orbiter Enterprise was looked at and rejected on cost grounds, with instead the cache of structural spares that were produced as part of the construction of Discovery and Atlantis earmarked for assembly into the new orbiter. Assembly was completed in July 1990, and the new orbiter was rolled out in April 1991. As part of the process, NASA ran a national competition for schools to name the new orbiter—the criteria included a requirement that it be named after an exploratory or research vessel, with a name "easily understood in the context of space"; entries included an essay about the name, the story behind it and why it was appropriate for a NASA shuttle, and the project that supported the name. Amongst the entries, Endeavour was suggested by one-third of the participating schools, with President George H.W. Bush eventually selecting it on the advice of the NASA Administrator, Richard Truly. The national winners were Senatobia Middle School in Senatobia, Mississippi, in the elementary division and Tallulah Falls School in Tallulah Falls, Georgia, in the upper school division. They were honored at several ceremonies in Washington, D.C., including a White House ceremony where President Bush presented awards to each school.{{Cite web |title=The Naming Of The Space Shuttle Endeavour |url=http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stseducation/stories/F_The_Naming_of_Space_Shuttle_Endeavour.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823104253/http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stseducation/stories/F_The_Naming_of_Space_Shuttle_Endeavour.html |archive-date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |publisher=NASA}} Endeavour was delivered by Rockwell International Space Transportation Systems Division in May 1991 and first launched a year later, in May 1992, on STS-49.

Endeavour cost $1.7 billion to build.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-15 |title=Space Shuttle Era Facts |url=https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2011.07.05-shuttle-era-facts.pdf |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=NASA}} The orbiter is named after the British HMS Endeavour, the ship which took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery (1768–1771).[http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/Endeavour.html John F. Kennedy Space Center – Space Shuttle Endeavour] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521101826/http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/endeavour.html |date=May 21, 2011 }}. Pao.ksc.nasa.gov. Retrieved on May 20, 2012. This is why the name is spelled in the British English manner, rather than the American English ("Endeavor"). This has caused confusion, including when NASA itself misspelled a sign on the launch pad in 2007.{{Cite web |title=Shuttle's Name Misspelled On NASA Launch Pad Sign |url=http://www.local6.com/technology/13675075/detail.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716003421/http://www.local6.com/technology/13675075/detail.html |archive-date=July 16, 2007 |publisher=WKMG-TV}} The Space Shuttle carried a piece of the original wood from Cook's ship inside the cockpit.[http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20120912/125000-see-endeavour-land-satellite-rescue-highlights-maiden-trip 125,000 see Endeavour land: Satellite rescue highlights maiden trip]. Daily Breeze. Retrieved on July 21, 2015. The name also honored Endeavour, the command module of Apollo 15, which was also named for Cook's ship.

On May 30, 2020, Dragon 2 capsule C206 was named Endeavour during the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission by astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken in honor of the shuttle, on which both astronauts took their first flights (STS-127 and STS-123 respectively).

On its first mission, it captured and redeployed the stranded Intelsat VI communications satellite. The first African-American woman astronaut, Mae Jemison, was launched into space on the mission STS-47 on September 12, 1992.

Endeavour flew the first servicing mission STS-61 for the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993. In 1997 it was withdrawn from service for eight months for a retrofit, including installation of a new airlock. In December 1998, it delivered the Unity Module to the International Space Station.

Endeavour{{'}}s last Orbiter Major Modification period began in December 2003 and ended on October 6, 2005. During this time, Endeavour received major hardware upgrades, including a new, multi-functional, electronic display system, often referred to as a glass cockpit, and an advanced GPS receiver, along with safety upgrades recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) for the shuttle's return to flight following the loss of Columbia during reentry on February 1, 2003.

The STS-118 mission, Endeavour{{'}}s first since the refit, included astronaut Barbara Morgan, formerly assigned to the Teacher in Space project, and later a member of the Astronaut Corps from 1998 to 2008, as part of the crew. Morgan was the backup for Christa McAuliffe who was on the ill-fated mission STS-51-L in 1986.

File:Space Shuttle Transit.jpg]]

File:STS-130 Endeavour Rollout 6.jpg

File:STS-126 Endeavour atop carrier aircraft.jpg atop a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in 2008]]

File:Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands at the Kennedy Space Center on July 31st, 2009..jpg at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility]]

As it was constructed later than its elder sisters, Endeavour was built with new hardware designed to improve and expand orbiter capabilities. Most of this equipment was later incorporated into the other three orbiters during out-of-service major inspection and modification programs. Endeavour{{'}}s upgrades include:

• A {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=on}} diameter drag chute that reduced the orbiter's landing roll-out distance (the runway length used for deceleration) from {{convert|3000|ft|m}} to {{convert|2000|ft|m}}.
• The plumbing and electrical connections needed for Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) modifications to allow up to a 28-day mission (although a 28-day mission was never attempted; the record is 17 days, which was set by Columbia).
• Updated avionics systems that included advanced general purpose computers, improved inertial measurement units and tactical air navigation systems, enhanced master events controllers and multiplexer-demultiplexers, a solid-state star tracker and improved nose wheel steering mechanisms.
• An improved version of the Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) that provided power to operate the Shuttle's hydraulic systems.

Modifications resulting from a 2005–2006 refit of Endeavour included:

• The Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS), which converted 8 kilowatts of DC power from the ISS main voltage of 120VDC to the orbiter bus voltage of 28VDC. This upgrade allowed Endeavour to remain on-orbit while docked at ISS for an additional 3- to 4-day duration. The corresponding power equipment was added to the ISS during the STS-116 station assembly mission, and Endeavour flew with SSPTS capability during STS-118.{{Cite web |title=Vehicle Upgrades: Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) |url=http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/returntoflight/vehicleupgrades/sspts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318231812/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/returntoflight/vehicleupgrades/sspts.html |archive-date=March 18, 2007 |publisher=Boeing: Integrated Defense Systems}}{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2003 |title=NASA Presolicitation Notice: Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System (SSPTS) |url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=10776 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703155317/http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=10776 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |publisher=NASA }}{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2005 |title=NASA's Space Shuttle Processing Status Report: S05-034 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/dec/HQ_S05034_shuttle_status.html |publisher=NASA |access-date=September 14, 2006 |archive-date=December 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208185057/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/dec/HQ_S05034_shuttle_status.html |url-status=dead }}

File:Platforms Around Endeavour In Orbiter Processing Facility-2.jpg-2]]

File:Endeavour docked to ISS.jpg on May 23, 2011, during its final mission]]

Endeavour flew its final mission, STS-134, to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2011. After the conclusion of STS-134, Endeavour was formally decommissioned.{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2014 |title=OV-105 "Endeavour" |url=http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/space-shuttle-endeavour/ov-105-endeavour |access-date=September 12, 2016 |website=California Science Center |language=en-US}}

STS-134 was intended to launch in late 2010, but on July 1 NASA released a statement saying the Endeavour mission was rescheduled for February 27, 2011.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2010 |title=NASA Updates Shuttle Target Launch Dates For Final Two Flights |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/jul/HQ_10-157_STS_Launch_Dates.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612111532/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/jul/HQ_10-157_STS_Launch_Dates.html |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=May 20, 2012 |website=NASA}}

"The target dates were adjusted because critical payload hardware for STS-133 will not be ready in time to support the previously planned 16 September launch," NASA said in a statement. With the Discovery launch moving to November, Endeavour mission "cannot fly as planned, so the next available launch window is in February 2011," NASA said, adding that the launch dates were subject to change.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2010 |title=NASA reschedules two final space shuttle launches |url=http://www.space-travel.com/reports/NASA_reschedules_two_final_space_shuttle_launches_999.html |access-date=November 20, 2016 |website=Space Travel}}

The launch was further postponed until April to avoid a scheduling conflict with a Russian supply vehicle heading for the International Space Station.{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2011 |title=Unmanned Russian cargo ship heads for space station |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2011-04-04/us/shuttle.endeavor.delay_1_russian-cargo-ship-international-space-station-insulation-foam?_s=PM:US |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114205123/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-04-04/us/shuttle.endeavor.delay_1_russian-cargo-ship-international-space-station-insulation-foam?_s=PM:US |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |work=CNN}} STS-134 did not launch until May 16 at 08:56 EDT.{{Cite web |title=STS-134 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/main/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2012 |publisher=NASA}}

Endeavour landed at the Kennedy Space Center at 06:34 UTC on June 1, 2011, completing its final mission.{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Endeavour completes final mission; one flight left for NASA |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/06/01/nasa.endeavour.lands/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114180839/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/06/01/nasa.endeavour.lands/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |access-date=June 3, 2011 |work=CNN}} It was the 25th night landing of a shuttle.{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Marcia |date=May 31, 2011 |title=Endeavour's last landing sparks pride and sadness |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/43228059 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209163147/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43228059/ |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=May 20, 2012 |work=NBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Harwood, William |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Endeavour ends final mission with smooth landing; The Space Shot |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-19514_3-20067830-239.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326033405/https://www.cnet.com/19514_3-20067830-239.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2012 |work=CNET News}} Over its flight career, Endeavour flew {{convert|122,883,151|mi|km}} and spent 299 days in space.{{Citation |title=Space Shuttle Era Facts |date=July 5, 2011 |work=NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/566250main_2011.07.05%20SHUTTLE%20ERA%20FACTS.pdf |access-date=August 2, 2016 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714112826/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/566250main_2011.07.05%20SHUTTLE%20ERA%20FACTS.pdf |url-status=dead }} During Endeavour's last mission, the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-20 departed from the ISS and paused at a distance of {{convert|200|m}}. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli took a series of photographs and videos of the ISS with Endeavour docked.{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Soyuz TMA-20 captures historic photography prior to perfect landing |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/05/soyuz-tma-20-historic-photographic-event-landing/ |access-date=October 12, 2012 |website=NASASpaceFlight}} This was the second time a shuttle was photographed docked and the first time since 1996. Commander Mark Kelly was the last astronaut off Endeavour after the landing, and the crew stayed on the landing strip to sign autographs and pose for pictures.{{Cite news |date=June 1, 2011 |title=Next-to-last space shuttle flight lands on Earth |url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/6/1/20195388/next-to-last-space-shuttle-flight-lands-on-earth |access-date=February 9, 2023 |publisher=Deseret News}}

STS-134 was the penultimate Space Shuttle mission; STS-135 was added to the schedule in January 2011, and in July Atlantis flew for the final time.{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2011 |title=STS-135: The Final Voyage |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/launch/sts-135_mission-overview.html |access-date=February 3, 2017 |website=NASA |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727080027/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/launch/sts-135_mission-overview.html |url-status=dead }}

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‡ Longest shuttle mission for Endeavour

The Flow Director was responsible for the overall preparation of the Shuttle for launch and processing it after landing, and remained permanently assigned to head the spacecraft's ground crew while the astronaut flight crews changed for every mission. Each Shuttle's Flow Director was supported by a Vehicle Manager for the same spacecraft. Space Shuttle Endeavour{{'}}s Flow Directors were:

• 01/1991 – ?: John J. "Tip" Talone Jr. (previously Flow Director for Discovery){{Cite web |title=KSC Names Two Space Shuttle Flow Directors |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/status/r5-91.ksc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101160554/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/status/r5-91.ksc |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |access-date=September 8, 2013}}
• 08/2000 – 05/2006: Tassos Abadiotakis{{Cite web |last=KSC |first=Kay Grinter |title=NASA – Biography of Tassos Abadiotakis |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/abadiotakis.html |website=www.nasa.gov |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925081954/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/abadiotakis.html |url-status=dead }}
• STS-126 --- Ken Tenbusch{{Cite web |last=Regan |first=Rebecca |title=NASA – Biography of Ken Tenbusch |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/tenbusch.html |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.nasa.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805214536/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/tenbusch.html |url-status=dead }}
• Until 08/2012: Dana M. Hutcherson{{Cite web |title=NASA – Dana M. Hutcherson, Launch Vehicle Systems Office Deputy Manager, NASA's Commercial Crew Program |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/hutcherson.html |website=www.nasa.gov |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925081055/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/biographies/hutcherson.html |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Space Shuttle retirement}}

After more than twenty organizations submitted proposals for the display of an orbiter,{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Richard |date=August 14, 2010 |title=With shuttles becoming museum pieces, cities vie to land one |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-aug-14-la-na-space-shuttle-20100815-story.html |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite news |date=November 1, 2010 |title=Discovery's Final Home 'Up In The Air' |url=http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/11/01/Discoverys-final-home-up-in-the-air/UPI-15431288644749/ |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=United Press International}} on April 12, 2011, NASA announced that the Space Shuttle Endeavour would go to the California Science Center in Los Angeles.{{Cite news |last=Stanglin |first=Douglas |date=April 12, 2011 |title=NYC, L.A., Kennedy Space Center, Smithsonian to get the 4 retired space shuttles |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/04/kennedy-space-center-air-and-space-museum-likely-to-get-2-of-the-4-retiring-shuttle-vehicles/1 |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=USA Today}} The Space Shuttle was mounted on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and departed from the Kennedy Space Center on September 19, 2012, heading to the Los Angeles International Airport, with some refueling stops in Ellington Field and Edwards Air Force Base. After low level flyovers above NASA and civic landmarks across the country and in California, it was delivered to LAX on September 21.{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Richard |date=April 12, 2012 |title=Delivering the space shuttles is tougher than you think |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-shuttle-delivery-20120411,0,7851736.story |access-date=April 19, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}} It was then hoisted off the aircraft and placed inside a United Airlines hangar to prepare for its transportation through the streets of Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=September 21, 2012 |title=Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands in L.A. for Display at California Science Center |url=https://www.space.com/17718-space-shuttle-endeavour-lands-los-angeles.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

File:Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles - 2012 (37919560104).jpg

On October 11 at 11:30pm, Endeavour left the hangar on four self-propelled robotic transporters and the orbiter was slowly left the airport and was carefully transported through the streets of Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=October 12, 2012 |title=Space Shuttle Endeavour Embarks on L.A. Road Trip |url=https://www.space.com/18032-shuttle-endeavour-los-angeles-road-trip.html |access-date=March 29, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Space shuttle Endeavour route, street closures & viewing areas |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/feature?section=news/local&id=8842882 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185240/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/feature?section=news%2Flocal&id=8842882 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |access-date=October 12, 2012 |work=ABC7 News}}{{Cite news |last1=Mather |first1=Kate |last2=Flores |first2=Adolfo |last3=Geber |first3=Marisa |last4=Khouri |first4=Andrew |last5=Weiss |first5=Ken |date=October 13, 2012 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour rolls on toward its new home |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/10/space-shuttle-endeavour-rolls-on-toward-its-new-home.html |access-date=October 13, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}} The Space Shuttle's {{convert|12|mi|km|adj=on}} journey was meticulously measured and each move was carefully choreographed.{{Cite web |last=Anton |first=Mike |date=September 16, 2012 |title=Shuttle Endeavour's final journey is carefully choreographed |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-shuttle-transport-20120916-story.html |access-date=December 19, 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

In multiple locations, there were only inches of clearance for the shuttle's wide wings between telephone poles, apartment buildings and other structures. Many street light standards and traffic signals were temporarily removed as the shuttle passed through. It was necessary to remove over 400 street trees as well, some of which were fairly old, leading to concern.{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Timon |date=September 9, 2012 |title=400 Trees Cut Down to Make Way For Space Shuttle Endeavour's Los Angeles Arrival |url=http://inhabitat.com/400-trees-cut-down-to-make-way-for-space-shuttle-endeavours-los-angeles-arrival |work=Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building}} However, the removed trees were replaced two-for-one by the Science Center, using part of the $200 million funding for the move.

The power had to be turned off and power carrying poles had to be removed temporarily as the orbiter crept along the streets. News crews lined the streets along the path with visible news personalities in the news trucks. Police escorts and other security personnel, among them including the LAPD, LASD, CHP, and NASA officials, controlled the large crowds gathered, with support from the LAFD and LACoFD to treat heat exhaustion victims as Endeavour made its way through the city.{{Cite news |last=CBS News |date=October 14, 2012 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour's slow commute through Los Angeles |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPz52Bo5t7k |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813032302/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPz52Bo5t7k&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=August 13, 2019 |access-date=February 14, 2019 |work=CBS News Los Angeles}} Endeavour was sometimes parked for a few hours at certain places, such as Randy's Donuts, and The Forum where it was available for viewing.{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2012 |title=Hole punched in doughnut shop's hopes for shuttle celebration |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-1012-beat-randys-donuts-endeavour-20121012-story.html |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |year=2012 |title=Space Shuttle Endeavour homepage |url=http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php |access-date=October 13, 2012 |website=California Science Center |publisher=}}

File:Space Shuttle Endeavour at Randy's Donuts.jpg

Endeavour's biggest part of the journey was crossing the Manchester Boulevard Bridge over Interstate 405. However, due to weight restrictions of the bridge, the shuttle was moved from the robotic transporters to a lighter non-powered dolly and was towed across the bridge by an unmodified Toyota Tundra.{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Neal |date=October 13, 2012 |title=Shuttle Endeavour hitches a ride with S.A. truck |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Shuttle-Endeavour-hitches-a-ride-with-S-A-truck-3944110.php |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=San Antonio Express-News}} Once it had completely crossed the bridge, the shuttle was then returned to the robotic transporters to continue its course. Toyota used the footage of Endeavour crossing the bridge in a commercial for the 2013 Super Bowl,{{Cite news |last=Harwood |first=Allyson |date=October 15, 2012 |title=How a 2012 Toyota Tundra Towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour |url=http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2012/163_news121015_2012_toyota_tundra_tows_endeavour/ |access-date=July 17, 2013 |work=Motor Trend's Truck Trend}} and the Tundra used to pull the shuttle was donated to the Science Center, where it became part of an exhibit on leverage.{{Cite web |last=Toyota |title=California Science Center Unveils Giant Lever Exhibit Featuring the Toyota Tundra Used During Space Shuttle Endeavour Transport |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-science-center-unveils-giant-lever-exhibit-featuring-the-toyota-tundra-used-during-space-shuttle-endeavour-transport-209711431.html |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}

Having taken longer than expected, Endeavour reached the Science Center on October 14 at 7:30pm.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2012 |title=Endeavour Arrives at California Science Center |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Thousands-Watch-as-Shuttle-Nears-California-Science-Center-Endeavour-174096871.html |access-date=October 14, 2012 |publisher=NBC News Los Angeles}} Prior to its arrival, a building was constructed on the side of the museum to temporarily house the Space Shuttle.{{Cite news |last=Lin II |first=Rong-Gong |date=October 9, 2014 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour inches closer to completion of final exhibit |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-endeavour-lab-20141010-story.html |access-date=June 2, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times}} The Space Shuttle's entire journey through the streets of Los Angeles was often dubbed as Mission 26: The Big Endeavour, a nod to its 25 space missions during its career.{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Tariq |date=October 17, 2012 |title=Shuttle Endeavour's L.A. Journey Stars in Stunning Time-Lapse Movie |url=https://www.space.com/18109-space-shuttle-endeavour-time-lapse-video.html |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

File:Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center.jpgOn October 30, 2012, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was opened to the public. The shuttle was on display inside the temporary Samuel Oschin Pavilion, where guests offered to not only walk around Endeavour, but also under it, as the vehicle was displayed in the horizontal atop four friction-pendulum seismic isolators to protect it from earthquakes. The shuttle remained inside the temporary pavilion until December 31, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=December 31, 2023 |title=End of year, end of exhibit: Space shuttle Endeavour goes off view for a few years |url=https://www.space.com/space-shuttle-endeavour-exhibit-closing-california-science-center |access-date=January 1, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}} A companion exhibit inside the Science Center features images and artifacts that related the Space Shuttle program to California, where the orbiters were originally constructed.{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the California Science Center |url=http://www.californiasciencecenter.org |publisher=California Science Center}}

After its decommissioning, Endeavour{{'}}s Canadarm (formally the 'Shuttle Remote Manipulator System') was removed in order to be sent to the Canadian Space Agency's John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, where it was to be placed on display.{{Cite press release |title=The Canadarm Is Returning Home |date=July 16, 2012 |publisher=Canadian Space Agency |location=Montreal |url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/advisories/2012/0716.asp |access-date=October 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326011053/http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/advisories/2012/0716.asp |archive-date=March 26, 2014}} In a Canadian poll on which science or aerospace museum should be selected to display the Canadarm, originally built by SPAR Aerospace, the Canadian Space Agency's headquarters placed third to last with only 35 out of 638 votes.{{Cite web |title=Canadian Space Agency Requests Proposals To Display Canadarm At St. Hubert Headquarters |url=http://spaceref.ca/missions-and-programs/canadian-space-agency/canadian-space-agency-plans-to-display-canadarm-at-st-hubert-headquarters-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115145723/http://spaceref.ca/missions-and-programs/canadian-space-agency/canadian-space-agency-plans-to-display-canadarm-at-st-hubert-headquarters-1.html |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=October 19, 2012 |website=SpaceRefCanada}}{{Cite news |date=April 12, 2011 |title=Endeavour's Canadarm coming home |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/endeavour-s-canadarm-coming-home-1.1035189 |access-date=October 14, 2012 |work=CBC}} Endeavour{{'}}s Canadarm has since gone on permanent display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Andy |date=May 2, 2013 |title=Unveiling exhibit, Hadfield sends first Canadarm 'last command' from space |url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/unveiling-exhibit-hadfield-sends-first-canadarm-last-command-from-space-1.1263958 |access-date=May 2, 2013 |work=CTV News}}{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |date=May 2, 2013 |title=Space Shuttle's Robotic Arm Goes on Display at Canadian Museum |url=http://www.space.com/20949-space-shuttle-canadarm-museum-exhibit.html |access-date=May 2, 2013 |work=Space.com}}{{Cite news |last= |date=May 2, 2013 |title=Minister Moore Unveils Exhibit for Canada's National Space Icon: the Canadarm |url=http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2013/0502.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506062113/http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/media/news_releases/2013/0502.asp |archive-date=May 6, 2013 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |work=Canadian Space Agency}} In August 2015, NASA engineers removed a few of the tanks from Endeavour for reuse as storage containers for potable water on the International Space Station.{{Cite news |date=August 19, 2015 |title=Tanks from retired shuttle Endeavour will be used for water storage on space station |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/08/19/tanks-from-retired-shuttle-endeavour-going-to-space-station?int=aa3609 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |publisher=U.S. News & World Report}}

On May 28, 2015, NASA donated the ET-94 external tank, the last mission-ready one in existence as all others were destroyed during launch. On April 12, 2016, the tank was transported by barge from the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, across the Panama Canal, and was safely docked in Marina del Rey on May 15.{{Cite web |title=SPACE SHUTTLE EXTERNAL TANK ET-94 – Emmert International |url=https://www.emmertintl.com/space-shuttle-external-tank-et-94/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.emmertintl.com}} The tank was delivered to the Science Center on May 21. It was displayed outside the Samuel Oschin Pavilion until 2023.{{cite news |date=May 28, 2015 |title=NASA gives California Science Center museum last remaining space shuttle fuel tank |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-space-shuttle-20150528-story.html |access-date=March 6, 2016 |newspaper=LA Times}}{{cite web |title=The California Science Center's External Tank |url=http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/space-shuttle-endeavour/external-tank |access-date=May 29, 2015 |website=California Science Center}}{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=May 22, 2016 |title=Space Shuttle External Tank Completes Road Trip to CA Science Center |url=https://www.space.com/32949-space-shuttle-external-tank-completes-road-trip-to-ca-science-center.html |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=}} On March 28, 2017, both Northrop Grumman and NASA donated a pair of flight-proven solid rocket boosters for Endeavour exhibit. {{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Justin |date=March 28, 2017 |title=Twin solid rockets, reused veterans of spaceflight, set for Endeavour display – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/28/twin-solid-rockets-reused-veterans-of-spaceflight-going-on-display-with-endeavour/#:~:text=March%2028,%202017%20Justin%20Ray,Gene%20Blevins/LA%20Daily%20News |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-US}} The rocket parts were delivered on September 11, 2020, and were temporarily stored in the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California until construction began.{{Cite web |title=Shuttle-used rockets roll into California to stand up Endeavour exhibit {{!}} collectSPACE |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091120a-endeavour-solid-rocket-boosters-mojave.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=collectSPACE.com}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Ben |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Northrop Grumman Donates Flight-Proven SRBs to Endeavour Exhibit at CSC - AmericaSpace |url=https://www.americaspace.com/2020/09/20/northrop-grumman-donates-flight-proven-srbs-to-endeavour-exhibit-at-csc/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=AmericaSpace |language=en-US}}

File:Construction of a viewing gallery around Space Shuttle Endeavour, its external tank, and solid rocket boosters at Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, Los Angeles, California, US.jpg

The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a new building that is under construction, will serve as Endeavour's new permanent home. The Space Shuttle will be in a 20-story-tall display mounted on with the ET-94 tank, and solid rocket boosters. Once finished, it will be the only Space Shuttle mounted vertically in launch position.

Originally slated to open in 2015, construction on the new building started on June 1, 2022.{{Cite news |last1=Lin II |first1=Rong-Gong |last2=Campa |first2=Andrew J. |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour is getting its own grand museum in L.A., displayed in launch position |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-01/endeavour-space-shuttle-california-science-center-groundbreaking |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web |last=Wisdom |first=McKenzie |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Groundbreaking at California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center |url=https://www.mattconstruction.com/blog/non-profit/groundbreaking-at-california-science-centers-samuel-oschin-air-and-space-center/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=MATT Construction |language=en-US}} Meanwhile, the ET-94 tank underwent some restoration after being used to analyze the foam on its sister tank, ET-93, which was a factor during the STS-107 mission, which resulted in the Columbia disaster.{{Cite news |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=April 10, 2016 |title=Last flight-qualified space shuttle fuel tank in existence begins its journey to L.A. |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0411-space-shuttle-tank-20160411-story.html |access-date=April 20, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

On July 20, 2023, the assembly of the stack began with the aft skirts (bottom segments of the rocket boosters) being precisely positioned on a concrete slab supported by six base isolators that will protect Endeavour from earthquakes.{{Cite news |date=July 20, 2023 |title=California Science Center starts complex process to display Space Shuttle Endeavour vertically |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ap-california-science-center-starts-complex-process-to-display-space-shuttle-endeavour-vertically/ |access-date=July 21, 2023 |work=KTLA |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} The motors for the rocket boosters, which were in storage at the Mojave Air and Space Port, were installed on October 11, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=KCAL News |date=2023-10-11 |title=Massive rocket motors arrive at California Science Center - CBS Los Angeles |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/massive-rocket-motors-arrive-at-california-science-center/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} The rocket boosters were fully assembled when the tops were added on December 5, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Endeavour's Final Move |url=https://californiasciencecenter.org/about-us/samuel-oschin-air-and-space-center/go-for-stack |website=California Science Center}}

On January 3, 2024, Endeavour was protected in a shrink wrap, likely to stay on until construction is complete.{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert |date=January 3, 2024 |title=Up next for Endeavour LA exhibit: Tank lift and shuttle shrink wrap |url=https://news.yahoo.com/next-endeavour-la-exhibit-tank-200043669.html |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}} The ET-94 tank was then moved into its position in January 16 and was mounted to the rocket boosters.{{Cite news |last=Lin II |first=Rong-Gong |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour's giant orange external tank begins final journey |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-02/space-shuttle-endeavours-giant-orange-external-tank-begins-final-journey |access-date=January 3, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Campa |first1=Andrew J. |last2=Lin II |first2=Rong-Gong |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Mission accomplished: Space shuttle Endeavour's giant orange fuel tank moved into viewing spot in L.A. |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-12/shuttle-endeavours-giant-orange-fuel-tank-lifted-but-winds-delay-final-placement |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} On January 30, the Space Shuttle was then moved into its position, thus completing the stack. Once all components are mounted into place, construction on the building will continue, as a complex diagrid structure will be built around it. Construction work on the building is scheduled to be completed in mid-2025. It will take several more years to install the artifacts and exhibits inside the building.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=The Endeavour space shuttle's new home is inching closer to completion |url=https://laist.com/news/endeavour-space-shuttle-milestone-topping-out |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=LAist |language=en}} An official grand opening is not yet announced.

File:The SpaceX Crew Dragon approaches the International Space Station (iss063e021463).jpg was named by Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken as a tribute to the Space Shuttle Endeavour.]]Following their May 30, 2020, launch on board the SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 vehicle, the crew announced in orbit that they had named their spacecraft Endeavour. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley said the name has a dual meaning: first, after the "incredible endeavor" put forth by SpaceX and NASA after the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet in 2011; and second, because both Hurley and Behnken each flew their first flight aboard the shuttle Endeavour (Behnken on STS-123, Hurley on STS-127) and wanted to name this new spacecraft after the one that took each of them into space.{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |title=Crew Dragon's astronauts give their SpaceX spaceship a storied name: Endeavour |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2020/crew-dragons-astronauts-give-spacex-capsule-storied-name-endeavour/ |access-date=May 30, 2020 |website=GeekWire}} The shuttle appeared in the 2022 films Moonfall and Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe.

A replica of a section of Endeavour is on exhibit outside the Discovery Cube Orange County, a science museum in Santa Ana, California.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Larry |date=June 2, 2005 |title=Have Shuttle, Will Travel: Endeavour Takes Shape at Discovery Science Center |url=https://www.space.com/1158-shuttle-travel-endeavour-takes-shape-discovery-science-center.html |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

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{{Commons category|Space Shuttle Endeavour}}

{{Space Shuttle Mission Link}}

• [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/endeavour.html NASA—Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (OV-105) homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501130312/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/resources/orbiters/endeavour.html |date=May 1, 2011 }}
• [http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php California Science Center: Space Shuttle Endeavour homepage]—final home in Exposition Park, Los Angeles
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111216105433/http://endeavour.stickrboo.com/ Stickrboo.com: Endeavour]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104805/http://freeimagehosting.nl/pics/55a233f4db632329f663f3eb7e837999.jpg Endeavour during STS-126 mission]—MPLM visible in Payload Bay
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111006143127/http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7600/sts12720090717222305new.jpg Image of Space Shuttle Endeavour docked to ISS during STS-127]—created using a telescope mounted camera by astrophotographer Ralf Vandebergh
• [https://archive.today/20130221204811/http://nasatech.net/ntTREndeavour_PAGE.html Transition & Retirement Processing in OPF-2] — over, under, around and through Endeavour with high-resolution spherical panoramas
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928002632/http://www.exploration-space.com/16-apr-2007-nasa.html Consolidated Launch Manifest (2007)]—Space Shuttle Flights and ISS Assembly Sequence
• [https://timelines.latimes.com/endeavours-trek-through-la Endeavour's trek through L.A.]
• {{HAER |survey=TX-116-C |id=tx1109 |title=Space Transportation System, Orbiter Endeavour (OV-105), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX |photos=22 |cap=5}}

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Endeavour

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Endeavour