File:NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft - N905NA (8014615359).jpg

Originally built in 1970 as the 86th Boeing 747, and delivered to American Airlines as a passenger aircraft under registration N9668, this aircraft was acquired by NASA in 1974 and heavily modified for piggyback ferrying of the Space Shuttle, starting with the gliding tests for Enterprise in 1977. Although it currently wears NASA's own livery, it was seen still in American Airlines livery during the first years of the space shuttle program.

Over the years, this aircraft has made many ferry flights for the space shuttle fleet, including the return of orbiters to Kennedy Space Center in Florida after landing at Edwards Air Force Base (or once at White Sands Missile Range), not to mention Enterprise's 1983 European tour. Although a second Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (N911NA, a 747-100SR formerly of Japan Airlines) also served from 1990 to early 2012, this aircraft is the one solely responsible for delivering the retired shuttles to their final destinations.

Here, the aircraft is parked next to the Flight Path Museum, the day after it had performed its very final mission - delivery of Endeavour to Los Angeles (which I sadly had to miss due to a family commitment). I got this off-focus shot while standing in a no-stopping zone across the Imperial Highway; I couldn't get closer due to the heavy security.

Now that the shuttles will never fly again, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft will be scrapped, for spare parts for NASA's airborne observatory program, which utilizes a 747SP.