It was just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday
when the space shuttle Endeavor rolled into its enormous hangar at the
California Science Center and finally came to a rest after its 12-mile journey
thorough Los Angeles.
It was also the moment Ken Carrion said he could finally breathe easy.
As a project manager for the Sarens Group, the heavy lifting firm that moved
the 85-ton orbiter to its new home, Carrion sweated every inch of the craft’s
movement through local streets.
"This has been the most humbling and exhilarating experience in
my 40 years in construction," the
65-year-old said as he stood beneath the shuttle’s nose. "Everywhere I was
it was giving me goose bumps to see the L.A. community come together."
Once the shuttle was finally parked in the hangar, workers began the
laborious task of welding the shuttle into place. But not before Sarens crew
and Science Center employees took a few minutes to shake hands, call family and
pat each other on the back.
"I'm speechless, this is unbelievable. The last moments of its
final mission have ended,” said Luis Vides, 25, a Science Center employee.
A throng of about 30 loyal shuttle watchers applauded as Endeavour
disappeared into the hangar. After they left, new crowds of spectators began
circulating through the park, as police worked to keep them from getting too
close to the work.
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