Retired Space Shuttle Endeavour propped for 'blast off' at LA science museum

The retired NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour, covered in protective white wrapping, is lifted into place to be affixed to the giant orange external tank and twin solid rocket boosters at the California Science Center on Jan 30 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: AFP

NASA's retired Space Shuttle Endeavour was carefully hoisted late Monday to be mated to a huge external fuel tank and its two solid rocket boosters at a Los Angeles museum where it will be uniquely displayed as if it is about to blast off.

A massive crane delicately began lifting the orbiter, which is 37m long and has a 24m wingspan, into the partially built Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.