Space Shuttle Endeavour was build in 1991 as NASA's final shuttle replacing Challenger costing $2.2 billion dollars. Endeavour first flew in May 7th 1992 on mission STS-49 and flew its last mission on May 16th 2011 on mission STS-134. In 1993 Endeavour made the first service mission to repair the famous Hubble Space Telescope. Endeavour flew 25 missions and spend a total of 296 days 3 hours 34 minutes and 2 seconds in space. Endeavour also orbited the earth an amazing 4,677 times. Endeavour was named after a ship chartered to traverse the South Pacific in 1768
and captained by 18th century British explorer James Cook, an experienced
seaman, navigator and amateur astronomer (source Kennedy Space Center Website).
After moving to Merritt Island in 1996 I fell in love with Space Shuttle launches. There is nothing like seeing a launch in person from your back yard, the school playground or up close at one of NASA's viewing sites. To hear the rumble of the engines as they thrust the shuttle and astronuats into space is definetly an amazing sound and feeling.
Here is a photo I took from my back yard of Endeavour lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on July 15th 2009 on mission STS-127 spending 15 days and 16 hours in space. This mission Endeavour took parts to the International Space Station (ISS) with a crew of 7 astronauts.
STS-127 - July 15th 2009
Below is a 7 min and 23 sec exposure of Shuttle Endeavour taking off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission was STS-130 where Endeavour spent 13 days and 18 hours in orbit. STS-130 took parts to the International Space Station (ISS) and carried a crew of 6.
STS-130 Morning Launch to ISS Feb. 8th 2010
Now that the shuttle program is over NASA is dissasembiling the fleet of space shuttles and sending them to be displayed around the county. Endeavour will be sent to California to be displayed at the Califonia Science Center. NASA has one remaining shuttle, Atlantis which will stay in Florida and be displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Below are some photos I took while out at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida.
Endeavour on top of the modified 747
Endeavour and the 747 taxi to the end of the runway
All photos taken by Perrone Photography of Merritt Island. Visit our NASA gallery for more amazing images.
Rocks, Crystals, Fossils, Jewelry located in Perrone Village at 2137 N. Courtenay Parkway suite 30 offers natural stone, jewelry, fossils, gems, spheres, candle holders and more. They even offer oils, crystals and items created by local artists.
See inside Rocks, Crystals, Fossils, Jewelry with Google Business Photos
