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Weather permitting, Endeavour's space shuttle is set to undergo its final historic lift starting Monday night, a unique manoeuvre no other retired orbiter has experienced. This move is part of the plan to position the shuttle as the centrepiece of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The intricate process involves hoisting the shuttle from a horizontal to a vertical position using cranes and attaching it to a sling for support during the move. An 11-story crane will lift the tail of Endeavour, while a 40-story crawler crane will lift the nose.
The two-stage move begins with the "soft mate" scheduled to start around 10 p.m. Monday, aiming to lift the shuttle into the building and bring it close to the orbiter. The second part involves capturing Endeavour to the external tank, requiring extreme precision to align all attached hardware correctly. The move is expected to take several hours, and any weather-related issues, such as strong winds, could prompt a delay.
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The full-stack configuration, featuring Endeavour attached to the external tank and solid rocket boosters, will make L.A. home to the only retired space shuttle displayed as if ready for launch. While the external tank was successfully lifted earlier this month, lifting the shuttle poses different challenges due to its 78-foot wingspan. The tight fit and sensitivity of internal components require careful manoeuvring during the lowering process.
The unique aspect of this lift lies in its execution at a construction site, unlike the controlled environment at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The unprecedented process involves meticulous planning, scaffolding adjustments, and a gradual lowering to ensure the shuttle's safe placement. A live stream is planned for the lift, with officials hoping to overcome technical issues encountered during the external tank lift.
Endeavour, a veteran of 25 space trips from 1992 to 2011, made its last flight in 2012. After a cross-country journey to Los Angeles International Airport and a three-day trek through city streets to the California Science Center, Endeavour was displayed in a temporary hangar. With the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center rising 20 stories to accommodate the full-stack configuration, the shuttle will be part of a museum scheduled to open to the public in the coming years.
