THE HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT BLOG: From the Space Shuttle to Beyond

James Dean / Florida Today

Discovery now belongs to the Smithsonian... Earlier today, NASA officially transferred ownership of the orbiter Discovery to the Smithsonian Institution. A few hours later, Discovery was towed into the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the shuttle's permanent home...and finally began her new career as a museum exhibit meant to inspire and educate young folks into becoming the next generation of engineers and scientists. Inside the Udvar-Hazy Center, Discovery took the spot of her prototype sister ship Enterprise—which had been on display at this museum since 2003. Enterprise herself will be mated to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (NASA 905) that brought Discovery to Virginia from Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Tuesday, and be ferried to New York City next Monday (April 23). Enterprise will then be delivered via barge to her new home at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum a few weeks later.


NASA


NASA


NASA


NASA


NASA


NASA


Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum


Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum