Los Angeles welcomes Space Shuttle Endeavour

The newest piece of history to grace Los Angeles is coming soon, as the space shuttle Endeavour is expected to arrive at LAX on Sept. 20. The big celebration begins on the morning of Oct. 12, when the shuttle begins a two-day crosstown parade to its final resting place in Exposition Park at USC. The 12-mile jaunt winds through Inglewood (with a stop overnight), Crenshaw, and Leimart Park, with packed crowds expected the entire way.
Here is a map of the route the shuttle will take from LAX to Exposition Park:

View Mission 26: The Big Endeavour in a larger map

Not everyone is happy to see the shuttle coming to town, normally I’d brand them inveterate complainers but in this case they actually have a minor point. About 400 trees are being cut down along the route to make way for the shuttle. Inglewood is not complaining. Many of the removed trees are responsible for tearing up city sidewalks; the sidewalks will be repaired and new trees planted, it could end up being a net positive. But those are some big trees getting axed, so it’s likely the community will look a little different for years to come.

Endeavour’s permanent home is still under construction at Expo Park’s forthcoming Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, where visitors will be able to view the shuttle up close (but not inside) and check out images and artifacts from the program’s history. This is a homecoming for Endeavor, as all of the shuttles were built in Southern California.

The California Science Center is picking up the dime for this party, including the $500,000+ bill for tree removal and replanting. Check out the website for more details about Endeavour, the Oschin Air and Space Center, and how you can be a part of the action.

 Space Shuttle Endeavour Parade

Oct. 12-13