Space Shuttle Endeavor Final Flyover Above Los Angeles (Video)

Usually iFolloSports.com is all about a behind the scenes and offbeat look at the world of sports. We thought it might be fun to briefly deviate from that mission and showcase a very unique happening that took place in Southern California on Friday.

After taking off from Edwards Air Force Base, in the Mohave Desert, the Space Shuttle Endeavor (strapped atop a modified Boeing 747 jumbo jet) flew over Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, before entering Los Angeles airspace. Upon entering the region at Santa Monica Beach, the now retired space exploration vehicle traveled above numerous local landmarks, before landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at around 12:48 pm Pacific.

Below is iFolloSports.com original video of the Endeavor (accompanied by the 747 and two military planes) heading due east, from the Pacific Ocean into the Los Angeles Basin. This clip shows the shuttle flying directly over the Santa Monica Pier and adjacent Venice Beach at roughly 11:45 am PT.

From this point, the 21-year-old vessel was visible above the California Science Center, LA City Hall, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Griffith Park Observatory, Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, Getty Center, city of Malibu, Disneyland, Seal Beach Boeing facility, Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific and the retired USS Iowa.  

The Endeavor, which departed Kennedy Space Center (FL) for its final voyage on September 19, will be stored at LAX until October 12, before a two-day parade through the streets of South Los Angeles, en route to the California Science Center (located across from the University of Southern California and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum).

The orbiter will be placed on permanent display at the science center beginning October 30.