Last night and tonight they are moving the 747 Shuttle Transport plane from Ellington Field to Space Center Houston – where it will be part of an amazing permanent exhibit including the mock-up space shuttle which has been on site for a couple of years.

The 747 currently has had the wings and tail section removed for the trek from Ellington Field, down Old Galveston Highway to Nasa Parkway to Space Center Houston.

We have loved being a part of the space community here in Clearlake, TX.  Many of our friends work for NASA or the sub contractors that all make space travel possible.  It has been sad to watch our manned space program go by the wayside.   If you have not had a chance to visit Space Center Houston I recommend that you do, with an ever changing list of activities and programs there is always something new to do.

September 2012 the 747 carried its last space shuttle, Endeavour, from FL to CA and had many scheduled stops along the way.  Here in Houston we were treated to multiple fly overs and it was an amazing site to see.  The last time I had seen the 747 in flight carrying a shuttle was in SLC, UT many many years prior – it truly is a site to behold.

Here are a few of my photos from September 2012

Here they come – along with their escort!

Amazing

I am standing by a light pole – the blur to the left

The ultimate piggy back ride

I think they were headed to do a fly over Galveston

How low can you go? That is space center Houston – with a part of the space shuttle mock up.

Really low!

A 3 story office building/loft area in Nassau Bay, TX

Just a cool photo

Yep – Nassau Bay!

After several fly overs the pair spent the night at Ellington and was on display all evening for those fortunate enough to stop by.  The departure from Houston was scheduled for sunrise the next morning – so I was up bright and early for the final send off.

And so that you know I could’ve been risking my life for these photos!

Sunrise coming behind the Kemah, TX bridge

A beautiful sunrise!

And they’re off…. to Austin – final destination California

last fly over our area after spending the night at Ellington Field

Yes the end of an era, but the folks at JSC are working on lots of exciting stuff for the future!  Do things to keep your kids and grandkids interested in science!

Dee