Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

<> on April 17, 2012 in Dulles, Virginia.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The US space shuttle Discovery early April 17, 2012 atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft as they taxi for take off at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The 747 with Discovery aboard is flying to Washington DC for display at the National Air and Space museum. AFP PHOTO/Bruce Weaver (Photo credit should read BRUCE WEAVER/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The US space shuttle Discovery early April 17, 2012 atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft as they take off at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The 747 with Discovery aboard is flying to Washington DC for display at the National Air and Space museum. AFP PHOTO/Bruce Weaver (Photo credit should read BRUCE WEAVER/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The US space shuttle Discovery early April 17, 2012 atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft as they head north passing over Kennedy Space Center, Florida for the final time. The 747 with Discovery aboard is flying to Washington DC for display at the National Air and Space museum. AFP PHOTO/Bruce Weaver (Photo credit should read BRUCE WEAVER/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The Space Shuttle Discovery takes it last ride on the back of a NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft(SCA), seen here on a pass over Washington, Dulles airport April 17, 2012. Shortly after the CSA flew over the Washington, DC, area, the shuttle was on it's way to it's new permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

CHANTILLY, VA - APRIL 17: Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, flies by Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

CHANTILLY, VA - APRIL 17: Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, flies by Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The Space Shuttle Discovery is seen above a residential neighbourhood while being transported on a modified jumbo jet April 17, 2012 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

<> on April 17, 2012 in Dulles, Virginia.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

People stand on the roof of the US Labor Department as US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies by in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies over the Smithsonian Institution castle in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The NASA space shuttle Discovery is seen from the White House's North Lawn as it is flown over Washington, DC April 17, 2012. The space shuttle was carried by a modified 747 aircraft from Kennedy Space Center to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia where it will spend its retirement after 39 missions. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The NASA space shuttle Discovery is seen from the White House's North Lawn as it is flown over Washington, DC April 17, 2012. The space shuttle was carried by a modified 747 aircraft from Kennedy Space Center to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia where it will spend its retirement after 39 missions. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The NASA space shuttle Discovery is seen from the White House's North Lawn as it is flown over the Washington Monument in Washington, DC April 17, 2012. The space shuttle was carried by a modified 747 aircraft from Kennedy Space Center to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia where it will spend its retirement after 39 missions. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The NASA space shuttle Discovery is seen from the White House's North Lawn as it is flown over Washington, DC April 17, 2012. The space shuttle was carried by a modified 747 aircraft from Kennedy Space Center to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia where it will spend its retirement after 39 missions. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies over the National Mall in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies past the US Capitol in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The Space Shuttle Discovery sits on the back of a NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft(SCA) as the CSA crew deboards after landing at Washington, Dulles International Airport (IAD) April 17, 2012. The shuttle is on it's way to it's new permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, flies by the Washington Monument during a flyover of the nation's capital on its final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The Space Shuttle Discovery makes it's final landing on the back of a NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft(SCA), at Washington, Dulles International airport April 17, 2012. The shuttle is on it's way to it's new permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

CHANTILLY, VA - APRIL 17: Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, is about to land at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian



Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

The space shuttle Discovery is teathered to the back of a modified 747 jumbo jet as it passes over the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. Hundredes of people arrived early in the morning to watch the arrival of the shuttle from the parking lot of the center. The oldest and most traveled vehicle in NASA's space shuttle program, Discovery will be placed on permanent display at the museum.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies past the US Capitol in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

People gather at the US Capitol to watch space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies past in Washington,DC on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

A photographer gets down low for a shot of the Space Shuttle Discovery after it's final landing on the back of a NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft(SCA), at Washington, Dulles (IAD) International airport April 17, 2012. The shuttle is on it's way to it's new permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

US space shuttle Discovery sitting atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft flies by the Old Post Office building in Washington on April 17, 2012 as it arrives from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to be displayed at the National Air and Space museum near the US capital. AFP PHOTO/MLADEN ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, lands at Washington Dulles International Airport during the final trip to its retirement place April 17, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet was flown from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the Washington, DC, area to be transferred to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and will be placed on display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Space Shuttle Discovery Arrives In DC Area, To Be Permanently Housed At Smithsonian

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