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Last Friday, September 21st, California got its first and last glimpse of a space shuttle pass over its skies. Space Shuttle Endeavour was being flown over various sites in California before its final resting place at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
The space shuttle was scheduled to make a low-level flyover of Moffett Field nearby to where I live. I got up before the break of dawn along with thousands of other viewers to make it onto the former naval base.
Everyone who visits here is always awestruck by the historical Hangar One.
Built in 1931, it is one of the world's largest freestanding structures covering 8 acres (3.2 hectares). In 2003, they discovered lead and other toxic chemicals were leaking from the paint of its outer covering. It was de-skinned completely recently and unfortunately, they ran out of funding to put on a new covering at this time.
With the two people standing by the hangar, you can appreciate how large this structure really is.
The eager crowd gathered at the runway gate entrance hoping to get in early to stake out a good vantage point.
Once we found a spot we liked beyond the gates, we could see the sun just coming up behind the buildings.
The local media was everywhere as this was a once-in-lifetime sighting for many.
Many local food trucks were invited to the base to feed hungry spectators.
At 7:30 a.m., I was wondering where was everyone.
At 9 a.m., another 90 minutes before the space shuttle's appearance, the field was packed.
At almost 11 a.m., we finally spotted the historic flight over our heads. A 4+ hour wait for a 5 second show was worth it.
- Karen
14 comments:
What a great event. It must be very fun although you waited for 4 hours. :)
What an amazing structure, and I'm certain the four hour wait for the flyover was well worth it too. Great job!
That's very special. I saw such a flyovr once in Brussels.
Greetings,
Filip
The last one is remarkable.
Its huge!! And looks pretty remarkable too.
Have a wonderful sunday :)
Its huge!! And looks pretty remarkable too.
Have a wonderful sunday :)
You are indeed very lucky to also witness a great event like this :D Definitely worth the wait :D
What a cool sight to see, great photos.
It really was spectacular. Love your Moffett Field shots, really gives a sense of what you were experiencing, I just caught it from my deck, and had goose bumps, you really got the full experience. NEAT!
definitely so worth it, did not get a chance to see it
Well you sure got a great shot after waiting so long. I admire your stamina.
the sun just coming up behind the buildings shot is so beautiful and the historic flight over your heads makes me wish I were there too :-)
Wow! I was thinking that your photos were pretty awesome anyway with the dawn shots and photos of the hangar but that photo of the space shuttle is just incredible! How exciting - well done for getting up before dawn.
I got to see the shuttle fly over SF on Friday. I posted a pic last week.
It's a bit sad to see the current state of Hangar One. I remember seeing it while it was still covered, not knowing what it was but that it was huge.
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