NASA hands Endeavour's ownership to California Science Center

The U.S. space agency NASA on Tuesday handed the ownership of space shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it will be eventually on permanent display. "NASA is pleased to share this wonderful orbiter with the California Science Center to help inspire a new generation of explorers," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement. "The next chapter in space exploration begins now, and we're standing on the shoulders of the men and women of the shuttle program to reach farther into the solar system," he added. According to NASA, Endeavour is expected to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport next year and then be towed to the museum after some display preparation and post-mission work is finished. "Endeavour now will begin its new mission to stimulate an interest in science and engineering in future generations at the science center," said Jeffrey Rudolph, president of the California Science Center, during a ceremony at the center. Space shuttle Endeavour flew its final voyage in May, 2011, having traveled 115 million miles (184 million km) during 25 flights and carried 139 people into orbit.