Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 1
The space shuttle Endeavour is transported to The Forum arena for a stopover and celebration on its way to the California Science Center from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on October 12, 2012 in Inglewood, California. The space shuttle Endeavour is on 12-mile journey from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center to go on permanent public display. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 2
The space shuttle Endeavour sits in a strip mall as a Hawaiian Airlines jet approaches a runway at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 3
The space shuttle Endeavour is transported pre-dawn, on its way to the California Science Center on October 12, 2012 in Inglewood, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 4
The space shuttle Endeavour makes its way down Manchester Blvd. over a closed 405 freeway in Inglewood, California, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 5
Endeavour is slowly moved across Interstate 405 by a Toyota Tundra, on October 12, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 6
Spectators take pictures as the Endeavour is towed through Inglewood, California, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 7
Endeavour stops in front of Randy's Donuts on Manchester Avenue while being moved from Los Angeles International Airport to its retirement home at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, on October 12, 2012.
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 8
Endeavour slowly moves along city streets in Los Angeles, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 9
Endeavour is transported to the California Science Center on October 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 10
Endeavour's wing barely clears a tree as it slowly moves along city streets in Inglewood, California, on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 11
Endeavour makes its way from Westchester square to Randy's Donuts during its final ground journey in Los Angeles, on October 12, 2012. (Reuters/Joe Klamar)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 12
Construction workers watch as Endeavour moves along a street, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 13
Spectators gather to watch the space shuttle Endeavour slowly move along Los Angeles streets, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick T. Fallon)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 14
An aerial view of Endeavour making its way down Manchester Blvd. in Los Angeles, on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 15
Endeavour during its final ground journey in Los Angeles, on October 12, 2012. (Reuters/Joe Klamar)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 16
People gather to watch Endeavour make its way down Manchester Blvd. on October 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 17
People watch as the Space Shuttle Endeavour arrives at the Forum en route to the California Science Center, on October 13, 2012 in Inglewood, California. (Wally Skalij/Getty Images)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 18
Spectators watch Endeavour slowly make a corner in Inglewood, California, on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 19
Workers place a sign to stop traffic as Space Shuttle Endeavour arrives at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Newspaper Group, Jeff Gritchen)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 20
People watch and take photographs as the space shuttle Endeavour is moved down Manchester Blvd. in Los Angeles, on on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson, Pool)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 21
Endeavour slowly makes its way through a Los Angeles neighborhood on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 22
A man takes pictures as Endeavour slowly pass, in Inglewood, California, on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 23
Crowds of people watch as Endeavour is transported on Manchester Blvd. while being moved to its retirement home at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, on October 12, 2012. (Reuters/Jonathan Alcorn)
Space Shuttle in Los Angeles - 24
Amir Morris, 3, waves an American flag as Endeavour passes by, in Los Angeles, on October 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson)
This is one of the many reasons we need to step up funding for NASA. The space shuttle Endeavour took a slow 12-mile trek through Los Angeles city streets on a 160-wheeled carrier. It is passing through neighborhoods and strip malls, headed toward its final destination, the California Science Center in South Los Angeles. At times, the shuttle has barely cleared trees, houses and and street signs along a course heavily prepared for the trip.
