Sat, 15 Sep 2012 Space shuttle Endeavour has been attached to the modified 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA, at NASA's Kennedy Spac...
The operation began at 5:04 a.m. EDT Friday when Endeavour was towed from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Shuttle Landing Facility Mate-Demate Device (MDD). Endeavour was precisely positioned in the MDD at 7:22 a.m. It was hoisted into the air, its landing gear was retracted, and the SCA taxied underneath it. Technicians lowered the shuttle onto three struts protruding from the top of the 747 and fastened it in place at about 2:30 p.m.
On Saturday, final connections will be made to hard-mate Endeavour to the SCA before the aircraft backs out of the MDD at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. NASA Managers will hold a Ferry Flight Readiness Review at 1 p.m. Sunday to assess preparations for the planned Monday departure of the SCA and Endeavour on a multi-day flight to California.
The aircraft is scheduled to leave Kennedy at about 7:15 a.m., targeting delivery of Endeavour to Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday, Sept. 20. In October, Endeavour will move to the California Science Center to begin a new mission inspiring future explorers
