NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery’s Retirement

NASA’s space shuttle fleet began setting records with its first launch on April 12, 1981 and continued to set high marks of achievement and endurance through 30 years of missions. Starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the spacecraft has carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and built the largest structure in space, the International Space Station. The final space shuttle mission, STS-135, ended July 21, 2011 when Atlantis rolled to a stop at its home port, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

As humanity’s first reusable spacecraft, the space shuttle pushed the bounds of discovery ever farther, requiring not only advanced technologies but the tremendous effort of a vast workforce. Thousands of civil servants and contractors throughout NASA’s field centers and across the nation have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to mission success and the greater goal of space exploration. [Source]

After 30 years of spaceflight, more than 130 missions, and numerous science and technology firsts, NASA’s space shuttle fleet will retire and be on display at institutions across the country to inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on Tuesday announced the facilities where four shuttle orbiters will be displayed permanently at the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program. [Source]

1. Shuttle Enterprise, the first orbiter built, will move from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.

2. The Udvar-Hazy Center will become the new home for shuttle Discovery, which retired after completing its 39th mission in March.

3. Shuttle Endeavour, which is preparing for its final flight at the end of the month will go to the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

4. Shuttle Atlantis, which will fly the last planned shuttle mission in June, will be displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex in Florida.

See this official statement from NASA to learn about what’s next for NASA

Below is a chronicle of the Space Shuttle Discovery’s final flight from the Kennedy Space Center the Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va. The Sifter salutes these incredible shuttles that have brought so much awe and wonder to humanity. May your new homes inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers.

Shuttle Discovery Prep

Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Arrives at Kennedy Space Center

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft parks near the mate/demate device at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The aircraft, known as an SCA, arrived at 5:35 p.m. EDT to prepare for shuttle Discovery’s ferry flight to the Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., on April 17.

This SCA, designated NASA 905, is a modified Boeing 747 jet airliner, originally manufactured for commercial use. One of two SCAs employed over the course of the Space Shuttle Program, NASA 905 is assigned to the remaining ferry missions, delivering the shuttles to their permanent public display sites. NASA 911 was decommissioned at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in California in February

 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Arrives at Kennedy Space Center

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft comes to a stop on the apron of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Overhead View of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)

This overhead view shows Shuttle Carrier Aircraft parked on the apron of the runway at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Discovery Rolls Out Of The Vehicle Assembly Building  

Space shuttle Discovery rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, into darkness for its trip to the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF.

 Discovery Ready For Mate-Demate Device

Space Shuttle Discovery’s move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, is complete as the sun comes up over NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A tail cone has been installed over its three replica shuttle main engines to reduce aerodynamic drag and turbulence during its upcoming ferry flight.

Discovery Ready For Mate-Demate Device

Space shuttle Discovery is towed into position at the mate-demate device, or MDD, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The MDD is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of an SCA.

 Sling Attached To Discovery

At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery’s front wheels hover above the ground inside the mate-demate device. Operations are under way to position Discovery on top of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

 Discovery Readied For Mate to SCA

At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft is positioned beneath space shuttle Discovery in the mate-demate device. Discovery will be lowered and mated to the aircraft in preparation for its departure from Kennedy.

Discovery Readied For Mate to SCA 

 Discovery Soft Mated to SCA

At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery is lowered onto the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in the mate-demate device during mating operations.

 Discovery Atop SCA Backs Out MDD

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying space shuttle Discovery backs out of the Shuttle Landing Facility’s mate-demate device at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The device, known as the MDD, is a large gantry-like steel structure used to hoist a shuttle off the ground and position it onto the back of the aircraft, or SCA.

Discovery Atop SCA 

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying space shuttle Discovery is on the ramp of the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Earlier, the duo backed out of the mate-demate device.

 Discovery Mated To Shuttle Carrier Aircraft

At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with space shuttle Discovery secured to its back is parked on the tarmac awaiting departure from Kennedy.

SCA Awaits Take Off with Discovery Atop 

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft transporting space shuttle Discovery to its new home prepares to take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at about 7 a.m. EDT

SCA Takes Off From KSC Carrying Discovery 

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft transporting space shuttle Discovery to its new home takes off from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at about 7 a.m. EDT. The duo are heading south to fly over Brevard County’s beach communities for residents to get a look at the shuttle before it leaves the Space Coast for the last time.

 Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) flies near the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Washington.

 Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over

Discovery, the first orbiter retired from NASA’s shuttle fleet, completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles. NASA will transfer Discovery to the National Air and Space Museum to begin its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and to educate and inspire future generations of explorers.

 Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), flies over the Washington skyline as seen from a NASA T-38 aircraft, Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over 

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), flies over the Washington skyline as seen from a NASA T-38 aircraft, Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

 Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over

 Space Shuttle Discovery DC Fly-Over

 Space Shuttle Discovery Dulles Fly-Over

Space Shuttle Discovery mounted atop a 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) flies over Washington Dulles International Airport, early Tuesday April 17, 2012, in Sterling, Va

Shuttle Discovery Fly-Over 

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) flies over the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Chantilly, Va

 Space Shuttle Discovery Ready For Demate

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is seen a few hours before being demated at Washington Dulles International Airport, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Sterling, VA.

 Space Shuttle Discovery Landing

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, at podium, speaks to those in attendance at Apron W after the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with space shuttle Discovery mounted on top rolled to a halt at Washington Dulles International Airport, Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in Sterling, Va.

 Space Shuttle Discovery Ready For Demate

NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with the space shuttle Discovery mated on top rolls into position for demating at Washington Dulles International Airport, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Sterling, VA.

 Shuttle Discovery Is Demated From SCA

Workers monitor the lift of the space shuttle Discovery from the the NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) at Washington Dulles International Airport, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Sterling, VA.

 Space Shuttle Discovery at Night

NASA will transfer Discovery to the National Air and Space Museum to begin its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and to educate and inspire future generations of explorers.

Shuttle Discovery Is Demated From SCA 

Workers monitor the lift of the space shuttle Discovery from the top of the NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) at Washington Dulles International Airport, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Sterling, VA.

 Space Shuttle Discovery

Discovery, the first orbiter retired from NASA’s shuttle fleet, completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles.

 Shuttle Discovery Is Demated From SCA

The space shuttle Discovery is suspended from a sling held by two cranes as the NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is pushed back from underneath at Washington Dulles International Airport, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Sterling, VA.

 Shuttle Discovery

 Shuttle Discovery

Interior of commercial-industrial premises with bed and dresser. Details unknown, but assumed to be premises used for illegal abortions. Late 1930s.

 Shuttle Disovery

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