As Endeavour prepares to make the journey from Kennedy Space Center to its new home in California, we’re taking a look back at the shuttle, its rich history and major milestones.
Endeavour’s first mission astronauts completed four space walks, including the first spacewalk in which three astronauts participated simultaneously.Endeavour is seen passing over Cook Straight, New Zealand, in 2002 as it prepares to dock with the ISS. The shuttle was named after the ship of First Lieutenant James Cook, who first traversed through Cook Straight in 1770.During its nearly two decades in service, Endeavour traveled 122,883,151 miles.It also spent nearly 300 days in orbit.During that time, Endeavour achieved a number of firsts, including the delivery of the first American-made component to the ISS, as well as the first flight of an African American female astronaut into space.Endeavour also carried the first Japanese astronaut aboard a NASA shuttle, as well as the first married couple to make a flight on the same mission.NASA/Bill IngallsAnother major milestone, Endeavour made the first Hubble telescope servicing mission.Endeavour launches into orbit in March 2008 for a trip to the ISS.Endeavour glides in for a landing at Edwards Air Force Base in November 2008 after being diverted from its original landing destination at Kennedy Space Center due to poor weather.Endeavour glides in for a landing at Kennedy Space Center in 2010.Space shuttle Endeavour makes its last rollout for its final launch in the spring of 2011.Space shuttle Endeavour lifts off from its launch pad on the Space Coast for its final mission.Equipment is transferred from Endeavour’s payload bay to the ISS during the shuttle’s final mission.After 25 missions, Endeavour was retired, along with the other members of NASA’s shuttle fleet.Its new resting place will be the California Science Center, where NASA officials say they hope it will serve as an inspiration for the next generation of space explorers.Endeavour shown here atop a modified Boeing 747 in anticipation of its upcoming ferry flight, slated for Wednesday.
