Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns to California

September 21, 2012 - 12:32 pm | Category: National

The space shuttle Endeavour returned to California on Thursday after a cross-country trip that included a flyover tribute to former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, her husband astronaut Mark Kelly and NASA employees.

As the shuttle flew over Tucson, Arizona, Kelly, who was Endeavour’s last commander, was heard saying, “That’s my spaceship.”

The shuttle, riding on top of a 747 jet, landed at Edwards Air Force Base, 100 miles north of Los Angeles. It will take to the air again on Friday with flyovers of Sacramento, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Los Angeles before landing at Los Angeles International Airport. Eventually, it will be transported to the California Science Center in downtown L.A. for display.

The move, however, hasn’t been without controversy. Hundreds of trees have been chopped and power lines re-routed to allow for the shuttle’s 12-mile drive through Los Angeles in October.