The last space shuttle to be built in the U.S. flew a farewell tour over its home state of California on Sept. 21, including a brief trip over Biola on its way to Disneyland in Anaheim.

Endeavour made its way to Los Angeles International Airport, where it is being temporarily housed after its retirement on June 1, 2011. En route to the airport, Endeavour flew over multiple California landmarks in honor of its heritage, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood Sign and Santa Monica Pier.

Biola gets closeup of history

Anxious to catch a glimpse of the famous spacecraft, approximately 50 Biolans scrambled to the top of the parking structure, armed with their video cameras and iPhones. Several students, like freshman communications major Matt Flodin, anticipated seeing such a historic moment.

“The space shuttle is a very significant step forward for Americans,” he said. “To see it in the air for the last time will be a very good experience because I’ve never seen it before … I’m very blessed to be able to get the chance to see it.”

Matthew Weathers, a professor of math and computer science, followed Endeavor’s progress on Twitter and encouraged his Nature of Mathematics classes to watch the shuttle’s journey from the rooftop. He felt it was important for students to witness an exciting time in Biola’s existence.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing to be able see the shuttle over Biola,” Weathers said. “It’s never happened before and it will never happen again.”

Leaving behind a legacy of exploration

The shuttle was built in Palmdale in 1991 and spent 299 days in space according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is being retired after NASA experienced a decrease in funds earlier this year under President Barack Obama’s administration.

When Endeavour came into view, the students and faculty standing on the rooftop waved their arms and yelled at the plane carrying the shuttle.

Senior communications major Caitie Bendall was awestruck by both the shuttle’s size and close proximity to Biola.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “I think it’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.”

The shuttle will remain at LAX until preparations for its final resting place at the California Science Center in downtown Los Angeles are complete. The exhibit is slated to open on Oct. 30.