The space shuttle Endeavour is lifted off a NASA Boeing 747 transport plane at Los Angeles International Airport early Saturday morning.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour is lowered onto a special transporter at Los Angeles International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 shuttle carrier aircraft fies over the Los Angeles Coliseum on Friday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Jim Ross / NASA

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The space shuttle Endeavour, mounted on NASA's Boeing 747, flies over Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: NASA

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The space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies over The J. Paul Getty Museum.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Jim Ross / NASA

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The space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 shuttle carrier flies over Disneyland in Anaheim.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Jim Ross / NASA

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The space shuttle Endeavour arrives at the United Airlines hangar at Los Angeles International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour flies over the Griffith Observatory and above the Hollywood sign.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour and its military escorts fly over Griffith Observatory.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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People stand along Aviation Boulevard as the space shuttle Endeavour lands at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

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Spectators on a bluff in El Segundo that overlooks LAX cheer as the shuttle Endeavour and its 747 transport rumble down the runway below them.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

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Crowds at Sepulveda and Lincoln boulevards cheer the arrival of space shuttle Endeavour as it nears its landing at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour makes a low flyover atop a modified Boeing 747 before coming in for a landing and welcoming ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour makes a low flyover, atop a modified Boeing 747, as spectators snap away with their cameras at the welcoming ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport. The 747 then landed at the airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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A crew member raises a flag from the cockpit of the NASA Boeing 747 as it taxis with the space shuttle Endeavour riding piggy-back after landing for a welcoming ceremony at Los Angeles International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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People crowd the observation deck at the top of Los Angeles City Hall for a snapshot of the retired space shuttle Endeavor as it flies around downtown.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

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People crowd the roof of a skyscraper as the retired space shuttle Endeavor rides a jumbo jet over downtown Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

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Ryan Bell, 3, of Orange, sits on dad Tim Bell's shoulders in anticipation of viewing the space shuttle Endeavour, mounted on NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, flying over Disney California Adventure during its final portion of a cross-country farewell tour.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies over Los Angeles International Airport before landing on its final leg of a cross country journey.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Bystanders crowd the intersection of Imperial Highway and California Street to get a glimpse of the space shuttle Endeavour as it flies over Los Angeles International Airport before landing on its final leg of a cross country journey.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Endeavour passes by the Proud Bird restaurant before landing at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Christina House / For the Times

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Endeavour passes by the Proud Bird restaurant before landing at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Christina House / For the Times

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Seen from the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles, the space shuttle Endeavor passes the Hollywood sign as the retired space shuttle makes the rounds of Los Angeles and Orange County landmarks before landing at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

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California Science Center School students react to the space shuttle Endeavour as it flies past.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times

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Students react to the space shuttle Endeavour as it flies past the California Science Center School in Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times

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Shuttle fans watch as Endeavour flies over Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Spectators spot the space shuttle Endeavour as it flies over Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Hills.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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A pair of paragliders get a unique view of the space shuttle Endeavour as it flies over the Santa Monica Pier.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour, riding on the back of a 747, flies over the Santa Monica Pier and beach goers.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour is seen in the sky above Venice Beach, during its' final flight before landing at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies over the downtown Los Angeles skyline.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Endeavour passes the faux Cadillac Valley Mountains of the Cars Land Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies over the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

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As the Queen Mary blows its horn, spectators cover their ears and take photos as the space shuttle Endeavour flies past.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour rides atop a 747 flying over Hollywood on its way to Los Angeles International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies over city hall in Los Angeles during flyovers of southland landmarks.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Marc Martin / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies on top of a modified 747 jumbo jet over the Golden Gate Bridge and Sutro Tower before it heads toward Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

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The space shuttle Endeavour makes a pass over San Francisco before heading south to make its final landing in Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

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A spectator takes a photo of Endeavour as it flies atop a Boeing 747 over the Golden Gate Bridge.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

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The space shuttle Endeavour passes over the California state Capitol in Sacramento.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press

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Edgar Herrera holds up grandson Grant Herrera, 3, as they wait for a glimpse of the space shuttle Endeavour, which is not expected for two more hours, at Griffith Park Observatory.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Franklin Schroeder, 2, right, and his brother Hunter, 3, check out the old planes on display at the Proud Bird restaurant while waiting for Endeavour's arrival at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Christina House / For The Times

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Tanton Harber, 7 , of Santa Monica peaks out from his astronaut-themed tent, while camping out on Imperial Avenue in El Segundo, overlooking the runway at LAX. He was with his brother and parents, waiting to view the arrival of the space shuttle Endeavour.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

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Several members of the Arizona Aviation Photographers club await the arrival of the space shuttle Endeavour near the corner of Sepulveda and Lincon boulevards at LAX.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour arrives at Edwards Air Force Base.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

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Airman Daniel Williams looks up at the space shuttle Endeavour at Edwards Air Force Base.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

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The space Shuttle Endeavour, mounted on NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), lands at Edwards Air Force Base as it continues on a cross-country farewell tour.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour flies by the control tower at Edwards Air Force Base, in California's Mojave Desert, on it cross-country farewell tour.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

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The space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the base.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

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PHOTOGRAPH BY: Lt. Col. Frederick Lombardi / Lt. Col. Frederick Lombardi

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Space shuttle Endeavour sits atop the a 747 flying over downtown Austin, Texas, early Thursday as it makes its final trek across the country to the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Alberto Martinez / Statesman.com

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A Texas flag is inadvertently flown upside down as NASA's 747 shuttle carrier taxis into position at Ellington Field in Houston.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin M. Cox / The Galveston County Daily News

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Flight engineer Larry Larose gives a tour inside NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft after it landed with Endeavour at Ellington Field in Houston.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin M. Cox / The Galveston County Daily News

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A crowd strains for a good look at Endeavour as its carrier aircraft prepares to land at Ellington Field in Houston.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin M. Cox / The Galveston County Daily News

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Space shuttle Endeavour atop NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft as it taxis past members of the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Reconnaissance Wing after landing at Ellington Field in Houston.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Kevin M. Cox / The Galveston County Daily News

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The space shuttle Endeavour rides atop a Boeing 747 after taking off Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour rides atop a Boeing 747 after taking off at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour rides atop a Boeing 747 with a T-38 plane behind it after taking off at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour and the Boeing 747 it sits atop are airborne Wednesday.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour sits atop a Boeing 747 in the minutes before taking off Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour will have to wait another day at the Kennedy Space Center. It's now scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles a day later than originally planned.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour sits atop a modified 747 at the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday as final preparations are made for the craft's trek toward Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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NASA operations technician Mitch Bromwell walks along a gangway as the space shuttle Endeavour is prepared to be pushed out of the NASA mating device for the last time at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour, atop a Boeing 747, is pushed out of the NASA mating device for the last time at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Ground operations technician Robert Hackaday monitors control panels at the Kennedy Space Center inside the cockpit of NASA 905, a modified 747 set to carry the space shuttle Endeavour for the last time.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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High clouds drift over Endeavour, mounted on a 747 aircraft, at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday. The space shuttle is scheduled to arrive Thursday in L.A.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Technicians remove a specialized industrial tape from protective window coverings on the space shuttle Endeavour.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour, mounted on a 747, is pushed onto the runway apron Sunday at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Operations technicians snap photos as the space shuttle Endeavour, mated to a modified 747, is pushed out of the NASA mating device for the last time at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour, mounted on a Boeing 747 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, was to travel to Houston on Monday, but storms pushed back its departure. The craft is still expected to arrive Thursday in L.A.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavour is mated to a modified Boeing 747 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., in preparation for its journey to California.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Endeavour is positioned atop a modified Boeing 747.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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A technician keeps an eye on the space shuttle Endeavour as it is towed into the mating device at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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An technician works on raising the space shuttle Endeavour's landing gear in preparation for mating.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Wings of the 747 shuttle transport and the space shuttle Endeavour align as technicians ready both aircraft and spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Technicians prepare Endeavour for mating with a modified 747 at the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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The aerodynamic tail cone, intended to reduce drag when mounted on the SCA during flight, is on the space shuttle Endeavour in the mating device as clouds roll over the Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Space shuttle Endeavour, alongside a NASA astronaut transport vehicle, is parked in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. It will be flown to Los Angeles next week.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Shields cover the cockpit windows of the space shuttle Endeavour parked in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Each heat shield tile covering the skin of the shuttle Endeavour is numbered and individually fitted.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Jeff Seibert snaps a picture inside the nose landing gear on the space shuttle Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Endeavour is parked in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. The space shuttle will be placed atop a carrier aircraft Friday in preparation for transport to Los Angeles.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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Decals on the body of the shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905 indicate its completed missions. Its next one will be to transport Endeavour to Southern California.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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News media members wait at Kennedy Space Center to view NASA 905, the modified Boeing 747 that will transport Endeavour to Los Angeles. NASA obtained the aircraft from American Airlines in 1974.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

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