Public Invited to ‘Rise of Independence’

The public is invited to see a giant crane lift the space shuttle replica Independence to its permanent home atop Space Center Houston’s historic shuttle carrier aircraft on Thursday, Aug. 14.

HOUSTON, July 23, 2014 - The public is invited to see a giant crane lift the space shuttle replica Independence to its permanent home atop Space Center Houston's historic shuttle carrier aircraft on Thursday, Aug. 14. The free event Rise of Independence will mark another chapter in the ongoing story of Space Center Houston's future world-class exhibit. At 8 a.m., a team of skilled engineers and planners in partnership with the center will lift the massive shuttle by crane (weather permitting). The ceremony preceding the lift begins at 7:15 a.m. There is limited viewing available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will be postponed to another date in the event of rain or high winds, but updates will posted on both the center website (www.spacecenter.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/spacecenterhouston). The nonprofit Space Center Houston still needs to raise $2.2 million as part of its $12 million capital campaign called Bring the Legacy Home. It invites people to give by texting "Shuttle747" to 41444 or visiting www.spacecenter.org/giving. More information about this event may be found at www.spacecenter.org.