After more than a decade of planning, the Los Angeles Times reported, “Barring weather delays, the Space Shuttle Endeavor is scheduled to make its final historic ascent starting Monday night. This is a maneuver that no airplane has ever experienced before…''
First, a pair of cranes lifts the shuttle from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The spacecraft is attached to a sling, a large metal frame that supports the spacecraft during movement. An 11-story crane will lift Endeavor's tail, while a 40-story crawler crane will be nearly as tall as Endeavor's tail. [Los Angeles’] CITY HALL — Pick up your nose. As the shuttle heads toward the star, the shorter crane detaches and the taller crane slowly circles the orbiter to its final position and lowers it to secure it in a giant orange external tank. The external tank is attached to her two solid rocket boosters and connected to the exhibit's foundation.
Once the full shuttle stack is in place, the rest of the museum will be built around it. Given the construction schedule and the additional time needed to install exhibits, it could be several years before it opens to the public.
“Los Angeles will have the only retired space shuttle on display in a full-stack configuration, as if it were ready for launch,” the article notes.
Officials hope to livestream the historic lift Monday night at 9:30 p.m. PT.