TBA
Space Shuttle Endeavour
California Science Center is test-fitting SpaceHAB, Canadarm, and other items that will be installed into Space Shuttle Endeavour's cargo bay for permanent display the past two weeks or so. Seemed only fitting to stop by and take a look, since Endeavour's cargo bay doors have otherwise been closed since moving into California Science Center.
Lots of heavy equipment is crowding the pavilion, but still some excellent looks at what's going on. Lots of access panels and hatches open that are otherwise closed, and most of the port side is blocked (should I have asked if they'd give me a peek? *grins*).
Permanent installation of Endeavour isn't for a few years, so after this test-fit is done, Endeavour's cargo bay doors will go back to closed, which made this a very special occasion.
Browsed some of the other air and space items at California Science Center as well. The A-12 Blackbird by the parking lot, the Northrop T-38 Talon and F-20 Tigershark hanging in the main entry, plus a scattering of space probe replicas (Explorer 1, Mariner 4, Cassini-Huygens, Pioneer 10, etc.). And the other highlight-- actual space capules such as the Apollo-Soyuz command module, Gemini 11, and Mercury-Redstone 2. Just for good measure, a replica Canadarm and Hughes HS-376 in the same area.
Always worth a visit. Sadly, couldn't squeeze in the Pompeii exhibit on this trip... next time!