Shuttle Endeavor on its final flight

dgasper · Sep 21, 2012

Saw this over the SF Bay this morning. It was on its way to final destination Los Angeles.

thunderbolt · Sep 21, 2012

Wow great photo, hmmm am wondering what horse power was in that shuttle at take off to go into space?

Dan50 · Sep 21, 2012

Cool picture! I've always wondered why putting one plane on top of another like that doesn't totally screw up the aerodynamics of the 747. You know, two sets of wings and everything. I wonder how much they worried the first time they flew that combination?

bill mart · Sep 21, 2012

with an escort flying cover no less! Bill

Mark6005 · Sep 21, 2012

Nice pics thanks for posting. Something not seen often. Gives you a perspective of the size of a 747 and the smaller size by far of something sent thousands of miles in space and returns. Amazing. Something to be proud of, to bad no more space program.

john in la · Sep 21, 2012

I saw it a couple of days ago when it made a pass over New Orleans at 1500 ft.
Pretty cool.

Jonak · Sep 21, 2012

Awesome pictures dgasper. Thanks a bunch for posting">)) Love it!

donjr · Sep 21, 2012

Don't they escort aircraft when there is a suspected terrorist aboard?

Anonymous-0 · Sep 21, 2012

That fighter bird-dogging the mission is there in case something goes haywire, mechanical or otherwise and threatens a populated area......

Anonymous-0 · Sep 21, 2012

I don't have a "bucket list", because I know I wouldn't get 10% of the things on it done, but seeing the space shuttle up close is one of the things I would like to do. Great pictures!!

wisbaker · Sep 21, 2012

I saw the shuttle land twice when it was piggy back, once at Eglin AFB in 1989, I was there TDY for EOD school could see it parked on the ramp from my quarters. It landed again once at MacDill AFB when I was stationed there, it was impressive, I suppose I could of went out and saw it when it was at MacDIll but then they might of figured out they never got me qualified to drive on the flightline there and of course it would of been my fault.

Jason the Red · Sep 21, 2012

What a wonderful waste of tax dollars!

Anonymous-0 · Sep 21, 2012

its on it's way to perform NASA's new mission. nnalert outreach! Maybe they can turn it into a mosque!

Hal/Eastern WA · Sep 21, 2012

I bet it slows the 747 down a bunch, and uses lots of jet fuel. I would also guess that the 747 that carries the Shuttles is extensively modified to carry that much weight and bulk externally.

Still, it is an amazing feat. The 747 is quite an airplane! Obviously MUCH stronger than necessary for just carrying around a bunch of passengers.

I have ridden on 747"s a few times, but unfortunately not recently. I think the 747 is still in production and if my memory is correct, the first 747 rolled out in about 1968 or 1969.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 22, 2012

Suppose the shuttle fell off, what does the fighter pilot do...put out his hand and grab it.?
Not much use shooting it down.!

Shuttle Endeavor on its final flight

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