A Celestial Visitor Above Tinseltown: Endeavour's Hollywood Sign Flyby

In September 2012, the United States had a unique opportunity to witness a piece of space history up close. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, on its final voyage to the California Science Center, embarked on a scenic aerial tour across California, famously making a pass by the iconic Hollywood sign.

This extraordinary event was part of Endeavour's ferry flight, where it was transported atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. As the orbiter made its way to Los Angeles on September 21, 2012, communities across California eagerly looked to the skies for a glimpse of this magnificent spacecraft.

Endeavour's flight path was meticulously planned to showcase many of the state's beloved landmarks. Alongside the Hollywood sign, the shuttle also flew by the California State Capitol Building, Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, the Getty Center, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, NASA’s Ames Research Center, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Santa Monica Pier.

Accompanying Endeavour on this final journey were F/A-18s and an F-15 from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. These aircraft, piloted by NASA Armstrong pilots, added to the spectacle as photographers and videographers from the center documented every moment of the orbiter’s final flight.

This flyby wasn't just a visual treat; it represented the culmination of Endeavour's incredible career, a career that inspired awe and pushed the boundaries of human achievement. It's an event that many who witnessed it will never forget, a moment when the wonders of space exploration graced the skies of Los Angeles in an unforgettable way.