Time-Lapse Video of Space Shuttle Endeavour On The Streets of L.A.

Above, space shuttle Endeavour being transported on Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood, California
to the California Science Center in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At about 4:00 in the morning on October 13, 2012, I headed down to Inglewood, California to view the space shuttle Endeavour being transported to its permanent home at the California Science Center in Los Angeles's Exposition Park.

Naturally, I brought along my camera took many photographs of the shuttle, including some directly underneath a wing.

The Los Angeles Times posted on YouTube a time-lapse video of the shuttle's journey from a hangar at Los Angeles International Airport to Exposition Park.

For your viewing enjoyment, here's the video:

Places To Celebrate National Space Day

Above, the space shuttle Endeavour being transported to the California Science
Center through the streets of Inglewood, California in 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been my contention over the years that the U.S. Space Program is the most worthwhile government program we have. So, if you are a fan of the Space Program like me, we're in luck!

The first Friday in May is National Space Day, where people can visit many venues celebrating the U.S. Space Program. One of them is the California Science Center in Exposition Park in Los Angeles where the space shuttle Endeavour is displayed.

Tripadvisor has a list of nine places in the U.S. where National Space Day celebrants can see actual artifacts from the Space Program.

They begin with:

You don’t have to hop in a spaceship to go intergalactic. Whether practicing your lunar landing on a flight simulator, gazing at a sky full of stars midday at the planetarium, or reliving the glory of NASA’s most important space explorations, you can reach outer space from every corner of the United States. In honor of National Space Day, here are 9 star attractions that promise out-of-this-world experiences.

To read more, go here. 

33 Years Since The Challenger Disaster

Above, the Challenger memorial at Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was one of those events that gets seared into one's memory, the kind that makes people remember exactly what they were doing, where and how they learned the news. The attack on Pearl Harbor, John F. Kennedy's assassination and 9/11/01 are ones that immediately come to mind.

Another was the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986.

I was at my desk at work when my mom called to tell me that the shuttle "blew up". I immediately asked her to pop in a blank tape in my VHS video machine to record all of the news coverage. She did and I still have the tape. It ends with President Reagan's address to the nation that night.

I was, and still am, a big fan of the U.S. space program. I attended two space shuttle landings at Edwards Air Force Base, one was Columbia and the other was Endeavour.

Thirty-three years since the Challenger disaster is a long time, but in many respects it almost seems like yesterday.

Shuttle Endeavour To Be Joined By Last External Fuel Tank

Above, the space shuttle Endeavour in Inglewood, California in 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2012, I joined throngs of people on the streets of Inglewood, California to view the transporting of space shuttle Endeavour during the early morning hours as it made its way to the California Science Center in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.

The space shuttle has been a big draw for visitors and soon it will be joined by the last remaining external fuel tank.

The Los Angeles Times reported:

When the space shuttle Endeavour crawled through the streets of Los Angeles to the California Science Center in 2012, it was missing something: the giant external fuel tank on which it rode piggyback into space. 

There was a good reason. The external tanks, which attached to shuttles' bellies, detached and burned up in the atmosphere shortly after liftoff. Museum officials figured they'd have to settle for a fake in their exhibit. Then, last year, NASA agreed to donate the last one in existence. 

But the tank was in New Orleans and was about as tall as a 15-story building. Getting it to L.A. wouldn't be easy.

It will be interesting to see the transport of the tank as it goes through the streets as the space shuttle did. The operation to transport the shuttle was tricky enough, but the external tank is bigger and a lot more fragile. It is expected to hit the streets on May 21.

To read more, go here. 

Why You Should Get A Real Camera

This...

Above, a photo of the space shuttle Endeavour taken with my Canon camera with existing light. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

...Or This

Above, a photo of the space shuttle Endeavour with my old Samsung cell phone camera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cellphone and smartphone cameras come in handy at times, but they really don't take the place or a
real, honest-to-goodness camera.

For the best photographs of family and other events, vacations or if you happen upon a traffic accident where photographs of the scene will come in handy for accident insurance investigators and attorneys (most will even pay you for your photos), get yourself a real camera.

According to an article at Bloomberg.com:

The best camera is the one you have with you, as the old chestnut goes. 

And if you're anything like me, just the thought of leaving your home (or even the room you're sitting in) without your trusted glass rectangle is enough to cause hyperventilation—and by that, I mean your phone, which doubles as most people's camera these days. Since 2013, Apple has touted that more photos are taken with the iPhone each day than any other camera. But no matter how much you love add-on semi-pro apps like VSCO Cam and Litely, your very capable smartphone camera does have its limitations. 

Cameras—actual cameras—are better, more stylish, and cheaper than ever. It might feel like a relic of the past, but here are five reasons why you need to get a real camera, right now. Just in time for the holiday weekend.

They will even tell you what cameras you should consider buying.

As you can see from the two photos above, cell phone cameras have their limitations and why having a real camera will allow you to take photographs that will be impressive. I took the cell phone photo of the space shuttle Endeavour to send to my roomie to let her know that I arrived in Inglewood, where the shuttle was being towed through the streets.

I would never even consider going to Japan (or anywhere else while on vacation) without a real camera.

To read Bloomberg's five reasons why you need to get yourself a real camera, go here.

Obama's Latest Russia Sanctions Threatens ISS Missions

Above, Endeavour in Inglewood, California en route to its final resting place in Exposition Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The recent annexation of the Crimea by Russia's Vladimir Putin and other moves against Ukraine are reprehensible. Obama's sanctions against Russia have little chance of getting Vlad the Invader to change his ways.

Sanctions have been used on several countries. Iran, North Korea and Syria. They've never worked.

The latest round of sanctions targets certain members of Russia's government. One of which is the overseer of the Russian space program. Herein lies the major problem.

According Investors.com:

Because Obama allowed the U.S. space shuttle program to die in 2011, scores of missions short of the crafts' designed lifespans, the only way for American astronauts to reach space and return now is in Soyuz spacecraft atop Russian rockets. This relinquished America's hard-won space superiority. The U.S. has also withdrawn from future joint Mars missions, its spot taken by Russia. 

Dmitry Rogozin is Putin's Deputy Prime Minister overseeing defense and space programs. He's also among Putin confidantes targeted with asset freezes and travel bans. 

He warned vaguely, but ominously, Tuesday that the latest sanctions on Russia's science industry had the potential for also hurting Americans in space dependent on Russian technology and logistics for survival. "We warned them," he said, "we will reply to statements with statements, to actions with actions." 

Then, a defiant Rogozin added mockingly: “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest the U.S. deliver its astronauts to the ISS with a trampoline."

It costs U.S. taxpayers $60 million for a seat on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. That's money we could have spent on the next generation manned spacecraft. In the meantime, the shuttle could have flown another five years or more, according to NASA estimates, until the new spacecraft was ready. The shuttles are now museum pieces and we're without an operational spacecraft (or even a giant trampoline). We're at the mercy of the Russians in getting to the International Space Station.

Good going, Barry!

To read more, go here.

2012 Year End Review

Above, space shuttle Endeavour is towed through the streets of Inglewood in October.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2012 is almost over.  For the most part, the year has been a productive one.  The only real item to mar the year was the failure of Mitt Romney to beat Barack Obama in the November election.  Otherwise, the year has been a good one.

Thankfully, I didn't have to attend any funerals for family members or friends.  Hopefully, this trend will continue through next year.  Knock on wood.  Unfortunately, one friend did pass away.  Comic Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney passed away in July.  Thankfully, we re-connected a few years ago.

The year started out with a get-together dinner (photo, left) in January in Burbank with Jerry "Karlos Borloff" Moore, his girlfriend Marta and Don Glut.  Following dinner at a local eatery, we migrated to Glut's and hung out there for a while.

Also in January, I bought table space at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention (photo, below right) at the Shrine Exhibition Hall to sell The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.  Despite the rainy weather, which dampened the crowd numbers a bit, we did pretty good as far as sales go.  I was thinking about doing the same this coming January, until I remembered that I now have to work Sundays (the day the show is held).  Oh, well.

In general, sales for the travel guide have been better in 2012 than it was in 2011.  Those sales led me to re-order a new batch from ComiXpress to cover the current holiday sale and next year's Mad Monster Party Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Japan tourism in general has improved over 2011.  As Japan's tourism improved, so has sales of the travel guide.

I started reading my collection of Ian Fleming James Bond books during this period.  I have a couple more to read as I have filled in the gaps in my collection.

My article, "Japan Safe For Monster Fan Tourists" made the rounds around the Internet in March.  It appeared in many websites, travel-related and non-travel-related, including the Anime News Network.

April saw the passing of Dark Shadows great Jonathan Frid, artist Thomas Kinkade, newsman Mike Wallace and American Bandstand's Dick Clark.

I attended this year's Monsterpalooza in Burbank in April.  While there, I had a reunion with friends Barbara & Jerry Weiler, who came in from Las Vegas.  Also at Monsterpalooza, I met actress Caroline Munro, got her autograph and had a photo taken with her (at left).  She still looks great!

In May, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan received a good review in The Japan Times.




In June, Emi Ito, one of The Peanuts (of Mothra fame) passed away at age 71.  Writer Ray Bradbury died at age 91.

Comic Book writer and columnist Tony Isabella gave a good review of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan in Comics Buyers Guide (photo, right).

In July, I held the first of several yard sales of comic books.  I was pleased to be able to sell quite a number of them.

I donated a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library.  It is now listed and available for researchers.  They were pleased to receive it.

In August, I made available The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan as an ebook at Amazon.com's Kindle Store.  Sales have been good and it is also available at Amazon's foreign sites.  I had been approached by several people about putting it out as an ebook, given the rising popularity of tablet computers.  So I did.  Amazon's ads (example below) for the travel guide are popping up all over the Internet, including in the Drudge Report.

I began my stint as a contributor to a new Japan travel-related website: JapanTourist in August.  My first article appeared in September.

In September, I was invited to join a panel (photo, left) on Japanese robots and monsters at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Our panel had a standing-room-only crowd and I sold several copies of the travel guide following the panel.

While at Comikaze, I met the great comic book artist Neal Adams.  His Batman work of the 1970s is considered the "definitive" Batman and his influence on the character is still felt today.  I had a photo taken with him (below).

I am one of those who "never wins anything."  Well, my luck changed as I won a gift certificate to a Japanese restaurant in downtown Los Angeles through Japan Up! magazine.

In October, I trekked down to Inglewood to see the space shuttle Endeavour being towed to the California Science Center.  Figuring the crowds would be smaller in the wee hours of the morning (I was right), I went there at three-thirty and got some photos of the ship.  An estimated one million people witnessed the shuttle in the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles.

This year's corn harvest has been great.  We made 40% more this year than the year before.  I paid off a lot of bills and bought a few things that I wanted/needed.

Speaking of food, my "roomie" Jes is taking culinary classes and has been making some great dishes.  I am, at least, eating better and healthier with less reliance on fast-food.

Following the election, November has been relatively quiet.  Thus far, December has been the same, except that I had posted an article on "The Battle At Osaka Castle" at Japan Reference's Portal.

Here's to an even better 2013!

Estimated One Million Witnessed Shuttle's Move; Crime Down

Above, Endeavour early Saturday morning in Inglewood.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been estimated that about one million people witnessed the space shuttle Endeavour move through the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles as it made it way from LAX to the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Also, crime in the city was down during the time of the shuttle's move.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

But in recapping the LAPD's efforts to patrol the crowds, [L.A.P.D. Chief] Beck told the Police Commission on Tuesday that the spectators were perhaps the best he's ever seen. "I maybe have never been involved in policing a crowd that was so positive and so proud," he said. 

Crime rates for the city during the shuttle's weekend journey, he said, were the lowest in months.

To read the full article, and to see a fascinating time-lapse video of the shuttle's move, go here.

"Endeavour" Still Behind Schedule

Above, power lines over Manchester Blvd. in the process of being moved so the shuttle can pass through.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The shuttle Endeavour still hasn't arrived at the California Science Museum.

According to the Los Angeles Times (posted at 6:04 am):

The Space Shuttle Endeavour is still hours from reaching its destination of the California Science Center, with some estimates now placing the shuttle there well after sunrise. 

The pine trees along of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard proved to be a challenge for the space shuttle Endeavour, further slowing its already sluggish progress. 

Jeffrey Rudolph, president of the California Science Center declined to give a time frame for Endeavor's arrival at the facility.

This isn't surprising, since a lot of money is at stake in keeping the shuttle in good condition.

To read the full article, go here.

"Endeavour" Photos: 3rd Batch

This has been one long day.  I've been up since about 2:45 this morning.  Throughout the day, I've followed the progress of the shuttle Endeavour as it slowly made its way to the California Science Center in Exposition Park via live streaming video, courtesy of the California Science Center and CNN.

Here are some more pictures of the shuttle that I took early this morning:

The last photo (below) was taken with my cell phone.  I sent it to several people while I was there.

More "Endeavour" Photos

Here's some more photos of Space Shuttle Endeavour that I took this morning in Inglewood, California.

Space Shuttle "Endeavour" In Inglewood

Above, my first view of Endeavour on Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My alarm was set for 2:50 AM, but I woke up about seven minutes before.

I decided to make the trek down to Inglewood, California (about 25 miles away) to view the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Manchester Blvd. as it is being hauled to the California Science Center.

Above, Endeavour is still an impresive sight!  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is scheduled to be at a viewing area at the Forum's parking lot at 8:00 this morning, but I heard one of the police in Inglewood say that it is two hours behind schedule.  Endeavour is supposed to arrive at the California Science Center tonight (good luck!).

Above, the crew section of Endeavour.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got down to Inglewood and found that it was nowhere near the Forum.  I located it about 2-3 miles west on Manchester.  I found a parking space (surprisingly fast) in front of Inglewood High School.  Endeavour was about three short blocks west.

Above, the starboard wing.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After parking, I walked down Manchester and found that a lot of other people had the same idea.  There were several hundred people there, but they were all orderly and were enjoying seeing a spaceship on a city street.  Several news vans were also there covering the event.

Above, hundreds of thermal tiles under the starboard wing.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The shuttle was stopped in the street.  I saw it move only once during the time I was there.  On average, according to news reports, it is supposed to move at about two miles per hour.  It may have been stopped as crews were working to get some power lines out of the way.

Above, the tail section and engines.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was able to get right up close to it.  I stood virtually under its starboard side wing tip.  The rocket engines on Endeavour are dummy ones.  The real ones were removed earlier.  It looks space-worthy yet.

Above, Endeavour drew a good crowd at 3:30 in the morning.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing seeing an object about the size of a Boeing 737 being towed through city streets for sixteen miles.  It is truly one of those "once in a lifetime" kind of events.

I'm glad I went!

Endeavor

Since the shuttle Endeavor's arrival in L.A. was delayed an hour, this forced me to change plans.  I went up to the top of Mulholland Park in Tarzana to view the shuttle.  Unfortunately, we only caught a few seconds glimpse of it flying over the Getty Center before it disappeared behind a ridge (above, behind those other shuttle-watchers).  So, I have to settle for this shot from the television screen (below).  I should have stuck to my original plan to remain in the Burbank Hills.

However, attorney Thomas Cotrel did manage to take this photo from his cell phone (below) from his office in Burbank.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Cotrel.

Endeavor Arrives In Los Angeles Tomorrow

Photo: NASA

Tomorrow's the day when space shuttle Endeavor lands at Los Angeles International Airport.

After a tour of the Bay Area and Sacramento, the shuttle will enter Los Angeles airspace at around 10:30 tomorrow morning.

This link will provide the flyover spots of Endeavor (atop a modified Boeing 747) for best viewing.  As it will fly over Griffith Park Observatory and Universal City, I will remain in the Burbank Hills after work with my camera to get an excellent hilltop view.

Mission 26: The Big Endeavour

Photo: NASA

Source: California Science Center

I received a press release from the California Science Center. The date of space shuttle Endeavor's arrival in Los Angeles has been set (weather permitting):

Mission 26: The Big Endeavour

The countdown has begun for Mission 26: The Big Endeavour. The space shuttle's arrival, transportation and grand opening at the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion.

Endeavour, which will be transported on top of NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), is expected to arrive at LAX mid-day of September 20. The target date is flexible, pending weather conditions at Kennedy Space Center and along the flight path and in Los Angeles. When Endeavour arrives, it will be moved into a United Airlines hangar. The shuttle will stay at the hangar while final preparations for its transport and display are completed.

More information + Press release

I was present for Endeavor's first mission landing at Edwards Air Force Base.  I am looking forward to being present for its last.

Endeavour Set To Arrive In L.A. On October 13

Above, shuttle prototype test vehicle "Enterprise" at Edwards Air Force Base.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Endeavour, the space shuttle that replaced the Challenger, is tentatively scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles to take up permanent residence at the California Science Center on October 13.

Above, the modified 747 (or one like it) that will fly Endeavour to LAX.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be flown on the back of a modified Boeing 747 to Los Angeles International Airport.  It will later be transported to the Science Center in Exposition Park (near USC).  It is roughly a twelve-mile trip from the airport to Exposition Park.

I attended the Endeavour's landing at Edwards Air Force Base following its maiden flight into space.  I will mark my calendar to save the date to view the shuttle as it is moved to Exposition Park.

Shuttle Endeavour Awarded To California Science Center

Above, orbiter Endeavour as seen from the International Space Station.

In May 1992, I was one of thousands of spectators to witness the landing of space shuttle Endeavour at Edwards Air Force Base following its maiden flight on mission STS-49. Endeavour was the replacement shuttle for Challenger.

Presently, Endeavour is on its final mission into space (STS-134).

I received this message from the California Science Center today:

Space Shuttle Endeavour awarded to the Science Center

On April 12, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden made an exciting announcement that the California Science Center will be awarded the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour. The decision was the result of a three-year-long national competition, with over 20 prestigious organizations from across the U.S. vying to be the recipient of one of three flown orbiters. It is an amazing honor to be selected as the steward of the Endeavour and a testament to the California Science Center's reputation as a national leader in science learning and education. The other two orbiters have been awarded to the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Space Center.

Plans are underway to bring the Endeavour to Los Angeles and build a new Air and Space Center, which has always been a major component of the California Science Center's 25-year Master Plan. With the Endeavour as its central experience, the new Air and Space Center will be one of the most significant air and space education facilities in the world. To learn more about this momentous project and how you can help the California Science Center inspire future generations of explorers and innovators go to www.BringEndeavourHome.org.

Ka-boom! Endeavour Lands In California

Ka-boom! Plus a little shaking and rattling hit my placid residence today at around 1:20 PM.

I was taking an afternoon siesta when the space shuttle Endeavour came to California for a 1:25 PM landing at Edwards Air Force Base. I've experienced the sonic booms set off by returning shuttles before (sometimes twin sonic booms) as they glide in at supersonic speeds to land at Edwards.

When I heard that Endeavour was diverted to California for its return from space (due to poor weather conditions at Cape Canaveral), I figured that we may get the sonic booms today (it depends upon the glide path). I was right.

I've gone to Edwards Air Force Base for two shuttle landings (one by Columbia in July 1982 and one by Endeavour in 1992) and those are experiences that fans of the U.S. Space Program should experience. I highly recommend it!