I was fortunate to be able to be at the north end of Ellington Field to take pictures of the Endeavour as it left Houston for California. Here is one side as it taxied around to prepare for takeoff.
Even though Houston has been mission control for most NASA missions and an integral part of the space program, when NASA retired the shuttles. they were sent to other cities rather than Houston.
Not a few Texans feel the decision was purely political and a rebuke for not supporting President Obama on 2008 and 1010.