After evaluating the weather, managers have decided to clear Space Shuttle Endeavour for a Houston stopover on Wednesday, Sept. 19, with departure for California on Thursday, Sept. 20. Stay tuned to this website for updates regarding Endeavour’s stop in Houston:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/endeavour_visit.html

Endeavour will be available for public viewing Sept. 19 until 9 p.m. Endeavour will depart Ellington at sunrise Sept. 20 to continue on its way to Los Angeles for permanent display.

Today, the SCA/Endeavour combo is planned to fly approximately 1,500 feet above various areas of Houston, Clear Lake and Galveston – including JSC — between about 9 and 10:30 a.m. as it arrives in Houston from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Endeavour’s Landing at Ellington is set for about 10:45 a.m. The specific route and timing of Endeavour’s flight will depend on weather and operational constraints.

NASA also will provide updates on Endeavour’s cross-country flight via social media using the hashtags #SpotTheShuttle and #OV105. You can follow who sees Endeavour, and post your sighting, in real time at: http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23spottheshuttle

Although it is better to see in person, portions of Endeavour’s flyover of JSC and the landing at Ellington will be broadcast live and can be viewed via several methods:

– Tune in to JSC TV channels 2 (analog) and 51-2 (digital)
– Watch JSC IPTV at http://iptv.jsc.nasa.gov/eztv/ on channel 402 (standard definition) and 4512 (HD) – best viewed using Internet Explorer
– Watch on UStream at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-jsc

After landing at Ellington, Endeavour will come to a stop near the NASA Hangar 990 pedestrian gate. The public will be able to view the aircraft and Endeavour from as close as 100 feet away starting about 30 minutes after it is parked. Public viewing will continue until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Endeavour’s departure from Ellington is planned for about sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 20.

JSC civil service employees are encouraged to participate in this NASA-sponsored activity as recognition for your many contributions to the Space Shuttle Program and incentive for safely and successfully furthering NASA’s mission. Participation during your normal duty hours is considered work time recordable to your normal charge codes. This includes transit time between Ellington and your regular work site using a reasonably direct route. You must coordinate with your supervisor to discuss which day and hours are acceptable for participation, while ensuring that work deadlines and organizational objectives remain supported without resulting in overtime, premium pay, comp or credit time. JSC contractors are asked to check with their own company’s policy. Employees and the general public may park at Ellington Field to witness the landing, view the shuttle or watch the takeoff (approximately 7 a.m. on Sept. 20). Please note: Hangar 990 itself will NOT be open to employees or the public during the viewing days.

Point of contact: JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, x35111