The space shuttle Endeavour's flight into Los Angeles last month brought hoards of people out of their homes, schools and offices, their eyes drawn to the sky as the retired orbiter buzzed past local landmarks.

This week, Endeavour hits the streets for a close-up.

Crowds are expected to track the shuttle's carefully planned two-day, 2-mph trek through Los Angeles and Inglewood to its permanent home at the California Science Center.

Endeavour's 12-mile journey starts early Friday, when it's expected to inch away from Los Angeles International Airport aboard a special transporter, following a path leading to Exposition Park.

Los Angeles and Inglewood police officials, with Science Center representatives, late last week offered details about the shuttle's schedule and limited public viewing areas. More information on road closures in both cities is expected to come out in the coming days and, in some cases, could change, police said.

One thing's for sure: The shuttle route will be well protected, making public access difficult in places. Police said they will conduct rolling closures along the path both days, working about a mile ahead of the orbiter, and will close some cross streets as a precaution. Given the shuttle's 78-foot wingspan, officials said sidewalks also will be off limits in many areas because they won't be large enough to accommodate the orbiter along with pedestrians.

LAX officials, meanwhile, are warning travelers who have

That's because the shuttle and its transporter will begin moving out of an LAX hangar about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, with the goal of clearing airport property by 2 a.m. Friday, said Nancy Castles, a Los Angeles World Airports spokeswoman.

The shuttle will then travel east on Northside Parkway to Lincoln, and turn left onto McConnell Avenue and right onto Westchester Parkway before ending up on La Tijera Boulevard.

"We're advising passengers that they need to be aware that the area northeast of LAX ... they should expect it to be impacted, along with Lincoln Boulevard," Castles said.

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Space shuttle Endeavour ready for 2-mph trip through Los Angeles and Inglewood