Shuttles moving in preparation for permanent display

Shuttles Endeavour and Atlantis had a brief "nose-to-nose" encounter while the two space craft were relocated on Thursday in preparation for permanent display.

Endeavour was backed out of Orbiter Processing Facility-2 (OPF-2) and Atlantis moved out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) around 8 a.m.

The move marked the final time that Endeavour rolled out of an OPF, temporarily moving into the VAB until September.  Endeavour is targeted to depart Kennedy atop the NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in mid-September and fly to Los Angeles International Airport. In mid-October, it will be moved to the California Science Center for permanent public display.

In OPF-2, Atlantis will undergo preparations for its move to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November.  There, a grand opening is planned for Atlantis' new home in July 2013.

For more information about the shuttles' preparations for public display, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle