headlight

I've got some ideas on viewing spots near LAX for the shuttle arrival on Friday. I'd like to know if anyone has some suggestions on viewing spots in other areas where I would be able to see the shuttle in the landing pattern for the longest amount of time?

Thanks, Drew

TrojanHorse

Do you have a link to the route they'll take to expo park? I missed it when they dragged that big dang rock right through my town... it'd be more fun to see the shuttle anyway.

calamarichris

+1 That sounds like a good excuse to get together as Americans for pizza & beer.

psalm

There are going to be a lot of street closures to accommodate spectators. Anywhere on Imperial Highway should make for a nice view though. Westchester Pkwy is probably going to jam packed with people. Wherever you watch it from, I suggest getting there really early, about 3-4 hours early to make sure you get a good spot. Bring a book.

cdp8

I think it's remaining at LAX for a while. They just received permission to cut down 265 more trees along the route to the science center. It will take them a while to accomplish that. A total of 400 trees will be felled along the route.

Headlight, assuming you are on your bike, I would try Aviation blvd. just north of the Proud Bird.

jmX

I don't think it's gonna drive through the streets until Oct 2nd or so. I definitely want to see that.

I did hear that it might fly around SoCal for some photo-ops before landing, but I don't know where that might be. Would be neat to see it fly over downtown or the hollywood sign.

TrojanHorse

I'm right under the LAX approach pattern it would be FABULOUS to catch it flying in. I assume they're ferrying it on a 747.

calamarichris

They will if there's any truth to the James Bond "Moonraker" flick. Anyone else remember the hijackers launching the space shuttle off the plane while in flight--seems reasonable that they would be flying the shuttle around with a full tank of hydrogen fuel, ANND that the space shuttle only carries enough fuel for minimal maneuvering, and needs the external/detachable fuel tanks to launch.


Heh heh: Roger Moore--prissiest, wussiest Bond ever. haha Woe betide the generation who regarded him as their masculine role model. (Oh wait, darn. )

headlight

So, I'm interested in watching the shuttle fly in to LAX on Fri. Just heard on the radio it will be flying over the Getty Center, Hollywood sign, and Disneyland before landing. Maybe I'll just try to get on top of one of the parking structures on Century and get some pics from up there.

BTW, the 747's that carry the shuttle are called "SCA's", (shuttle carrier aircraft!)

Thanks for all of your responses!
Drew

psalm

You mean it's coming in on piggy back? Well there goes my excitement.

jmX

Disneyland? Sweet...guess I won't have to drive up to JPL afterall! Sounds like more details will come out tomorrow about the actual final path.

sojourn

I remember when we actually had launch capability....now we hitch rides from Russia.

cdp8

To add insult to inury, it will be towed from LAX to the museum by a Japanese pick up truck.

https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5663827.story

Fly over schedule should be released later today. I'm thinking that the roof top level of the Disneyland parking lot near Ball and Disneyland Dr. will be a good spot to get a good pic.

10 Wheels

It came directly at me this morning when I first started riding. Got my camera out.

Mansram01

Pretty cool pic.

rlp

A few weeks ago they were scouting the route with a T38 and a F18. We happened to be at Disneyland that morning and if they follow the route the F18 took it will come in from the north and fly just to the east of the park. Pict ops would be from the west side of the park or parking structures looking north and east. Since it will be in the morning could be a tough sun for picts. They are saying 1500 feet but I think the F18 was lower than that. Of course there is no guarantee that the path we saw was the final route.

Flying Merkel

Blame the Space Shuttle. Never performed as advertised, killed astronauts, and held back programs to design & build old-fashioned rocket boosters. At least it's going to be doing what it always did best. PR work.

Condorita

PR killed the astronauts, not the equipment.

Condorita

It'll be late morning. She'll be spending tonight at Muroc, then tomorrow morning will fly north to buzz Sacramento and the Bay Area before coming down the coast to buzz the basin before landing at LAX.

Wulf

I'll catch it near D'land. Scouting out a place now.

Flying Merkel

The equipment failed. The Space Shuttle was more fragile & temperamental than originally thought. It never was the cheap & reliable space truck it was designed to be.

Genaro

I just saw the map of the route they're taking. I grew up in those areas so I hope they double up on security or the shuttle will end up in someones backyard with chrome wheels, hydraulics, and powerful sound system.

JTGraphics

https://www.californiasciencecenter.o.../Mission26.php

tjh1960

Since Huntington Beach, Boeing Seal Beach and Queen Mary are supposed to be on the flight path, I'm thinking about grabbing brunch at Rivers End Cafe (at the end of SGRT) and keeping an eye out from there--should go right by.

ckaspar

Just flew passed Los Alamitos for anyone wondering.