NASA chief tours new KSC launcher

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden toured the space agency's new mobile launcher with reporters after meeting with hundreds of Space Coast community leaders to assure them that NASA remains vibrant despite the retirement of the shuttle fleet.

The 345 foot structure will be used to assemble heavy-lift rockets with the Orion capsule for deep space missions.

Meanwhile, three shuttles parked at KSC are being prepared for displays in museums across the country.

KSC Director Bob Cabana, a former shuttle pilot, told WDBO that a few hundred workers are still in line for layoffs after the work, bringing the employment level to under 9,000. At it's height, he said the shuttle program employed 15,000 contract workers and civil service workers. In the future, is expected NASA will have 10,000 people working at KSC with several projects going on at one time.

In Los Angeles, NASA transferred ownership of the retired space shuttle Endeavour to a California museum.

A ceremony at the California Science Center Tuesday was attended by several members of Endeavour's last crew including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' astronaut-husband Mark Kelly.

Endeavour is expected to arrive next year at Los Angeles International Airport and then be towed through the streets to the museum near downtown Los Angeles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.