Quite a sight: Space shuttle to pass over Tucson
Grab your camera. Head outdoors. A retired spacecraft atop a jumbo jet should soon be on their way.
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This picture shows the shuttle Discovery flying over Washington, D.C. recently. Courtesy of Cameron Glenn.
This article provides an updated Tucson flyover time from NASA: about 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
Reporter: Kevin Keen
Web Producer: Rikki Mitchell
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Look up on Thursday! The Space Shuttle Endeavour ferry flight is set to pass over Tucson to honor former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, KGUN9 News has confirmed.
Endeavour is on a 2,700-mile cross-country journey and is scheduled pass over the Old Pueblo before landing at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The retired spacecraft travels atop a modifed jumbo jet, which does all the flying.
Former astronaut and Giffords' husband Mark Kelly asked NASA for the flyover.
"The flyover was made at the suggestion of former astronaut Mark Kelly and NASA decided to honor that request to pay our respects to a long-time agency supporter in former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Kelly, who commanded Endeavour’s final mission, STS-134," NASA told ABC News.
Endeavour will stay in Houston Wednesday night, leave Thursday morning and stop in El Paso to refuel before arriving in California, according to NASA flight plans.
KGUN9 confirmed with NASA Tucson's low-level flyover should take place around 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
"The exact timing and path of the ferry flight will depend on weather conditions and operational constraints," NASA wrote in statement. "Some planned flyovers or stopovers could be delayed or canceled."
The space agency reported the Old Pueblo flyover will take place at 1,500 feet, as the spacecraft-plane duo head toward California.
Where's the best view? NASA didn't provide detailed flight information, including a precise flight path, but a number of people will gather at the University of Arizona mall and atop parking ramps to watch.
Passing over Southern Arizona will add no additional time or cost to the delivery of Endeavour, NASA told ABC News.
Passing over Southern Arizona will add no additional time or cost to the delivery of Endeavour, NASA told ABC News.
NASA encourages people to share their Endeavour sightings while its on its way to Los Angeles by using the hastags #spottheshuttle and #OV105 on Twitter. Please also send pictures and videos to news@kgun9.com as well or post them on the 9 On Your Side Facebook page.
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