Space Shuttle Discovery Comes Home

Space Shuttle Discovery makes one final trip to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum April 2012

By Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Over the U.S. Capitol Building by NASA/Rebecca RothSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Discovery Over DC

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, residents of Washington, DC caught a rare glimpse of a 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft delivering the Space Shuttle Discovery to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Delivered to the Smithsonian by Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Discovery En Route to Dulles International, Carolyn Russo, 2012, From the collection of: Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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Museum Welcomes Space Shuttle DiscoverySmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Onlookers at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, welcomed Discovery to its new home.

Space Shuttle Discovery Landing at DullesSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Discovery landed at the Dulles International Airport.

Discovery Mounted Atop 747 (2012) by Dane PenlandSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Final Journey

Space Shuttle Discovery was demated from its 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft to begin its final journey to the Museum.

Demating Discovery and 747 by Dane PenlandSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Discovery Demated From 747 (2012) by Dane PenlandSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Discovery and Enterprise (2012)Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Welcome & Goodbye

Onlookers gathered to welcome Space Shuttle Discovery (right) and say goodbye to Space Shuttle Enterprise (left). Discovery's 39 missions, more than 148,221,675 miles, and 365 days in orbit is evident in the wear and tear on its exterior.

Space Shuttle Discovery at National Air and Space Museum (2012)Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Discovery is pulled into the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Space Hangar.

Space Shuttle Discovery Rolled Into Museum (2012)Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

DiscoverySmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

James S. McDonnell Space HangarSmithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Space Shuttle Discovery holds a place of honor in the National Air and Space Museum.

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