With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Valley Is Kinda Bummed Endeavour Skipped It
Can you think of anything not awesome about a shuttle being strapped on the back of a 747 and doing laps around L.A.? The Valley can.
You see, Endeavour saluted all the sexy local landmarks like the Getty Center, the Hollywood sign and City Hall—but then it totally forgot to salute its engine-builders on the other side of the Hollywood Hills. The folks especially bummed were the opinion writers over at The Daily News who were hoping that Endeavour would brave the Valley heat to meet (or at least fly directly over) its maker:
On its way to LAX -- and eventually the California Science Center in Exposition Park -- the space shuttle Endeavour will be flown low today over a series of state landmarks and facilities significant to the space program. One sad omission: Endeavour is not scheduled to pass near the heart of the San Fernando Valley and the Rocketdyne facility that served as a hub of the nation's aerospace industry.
The space shuttle program literally would not have gotten off the ground if not for Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, whose thousands of smart, hard-working employees developed the shuttles' main engines (and Apollo's Saturn V rockets before that).
It's not that some folks in the Valley couldn't see it at all: Endeavour made a high pass over Universal Studios giving the Eastern side of the Valley a decent view. But Valley dwellers (particularly on the Western side) still felt left out. They responded not with outrage so much as resignation:
Support for LAist comes from
Man! Everyone in l.a. saw the space shuttle! But of course we didn't see it in the freaking valley! 😒
— Dinithi (@adeedoes) September 21, 2012
@SarahEmilyUSC I did! Watched off PCH. The shuttle was properly informed that the valley is no place to be on a sunny Friday afternoon.
— Matt Gray (@805matt) September 21, 2012
Related:
Hilarious Tweets About Endeavour's Flight Over L.A.
Photos: Space Shuttle Endeavour Soars Over Los Angeles
More Endeavour news
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist