13 Oct 2012

Space shuttle makes last journey

8:22 pm on 13 October 2012

The US space shuttle Endeavour made its last journey on Saturday, a 19km trip through Los Angeles to a museum where it will go on display.

The BBC reports the shuttle, which once travelled at more than 17,000mph, was moved on the back of a special truck at two miles per hour.

Trees were cut down, power lines moved and traffic signals removed to allow the shuttle to pass through the streets to the California Science Center.

The shuttle flew from 1992 - 2011 on 25 missions.

Crews laid more than 2000 steel plates at sensitive points to shield the road and underground utilities from the weight of the shuttle and its transporter.

The Endeavour made a ceremonial piggyback flight around California on 21 September as spectators wept and cheered.

It will be displayed in a temporary hangar to protect it from the elements until a special pavilion opens in 2017.