March 11, 1997

Steve Nesbitt
Johnson Space Center
(281) 483-5111

Release: J97-6

Space Shuttle Endeavour to Visit Corpus Christi, Houston

Space Shuttle Endeavour, riding on the back of its 747 carrier aircraft, will make a brief stopover for public viewing at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi March 25, weather permitting. The orbiter will make a short refueling stop at Ellington Field in Houston March 26.

Endeavour is coming back from extended maintenance in Palmdale, California, where it was built. This will be the second attempt by NASA to bring a space shuttle to Corpus Christi. Last June, bad weather across Texas caused the space agency to divert the ferry flight path of Space Shuttle Discovery to landing fields further north.

Riding atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, Endeavour is scheduled to land in Corpus Christi at approximately noon on March 25 and would be open to public viewing about one hour after landing. The public should be able to see Endeavour and its carrier jet at least through daylight hours. Departure is planned for 8 a.m. March 26.

The orbiter - 747 combination will come to Ellington Field in Houston about 9 a.m. CST March 26, refuel, and depart about noon. Public viewing will be allowed from 10 a.m. to noon CST.

Endeavour last flew in space in May 1996 on the STS-77 space shuttle mission. It has flown 11 times and is scheduled to play a major role in assembling the International Space Station beginning late this year.

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