Space shuttle Endeavour embarked on the first leg of its final flight Sept. 19, departing Kennedy Space Center in Florida and making early-morning flyover visits to Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and nearby Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. The shuttle flew atop the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, headed west, where it will go on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The flight crew coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct low-level flyovers at about 1,500 feet above Stennis and Michoud.

Stennis Space Center employees turned out in force to cheer space shuttle Endeavour as it flew low over the rocket engine test facility early on the morning of Sept. 19. The shuttle is headed to Los Angeles, where it will be on display at the California Science Center. Stennis employees applauded and cheered as the retired shuttle passed low overhead. In addition to those gathered on the lawn in front of the Roy S. Estess Building, many congregated on building rooftops and on facility test stands to view the flyover.