According to a NASA press release, NASA transferred title and ownership of space shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center (CSC) during a ceremony Tuesday at the center in Los Angeles.

The transfer is the first step toward CSC receiving Endeavour in the latter half of 2012.

“NASA is pleased to share this wonderful orbiter with the California Science Center to help inspire a new generation of explorers,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “The next chapter in space exploration begins now, and we’re standing on the shoulders of the men and women of the shuttle program to reach farther into the solar system.”

Bolden announced April 12 that CSC was one of four institutions nationwide to receive a shuttle. After display preparation and post-mission work are complete, NASA will deliver Endeavour on the 747 shuttle carrier aircraft to Los Angeles International Airport. 

From there, the shuttle will be driven through the streets of Los Angeles to its destination at the Science Center in Exposition Park.

“Endeavour now will begin its new mission to stimulate an interest in science and engineering in future generations at the science center,” California Science Center President Jeffrey Rudolph said.

For information about where all the retired space shuttles will be displayed, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/transition/placement/index.html