Space Shuttle Discovery’s Final Flight

NASA’s decommissioned space shuttle Discovery took a victory lap over Washington, D.C., today on the back of a Boeing 747. The shuttle was traveling to its new home at the National Air and Space Museum in Dulles, Virginia. Discovery flew by several iconic buildings as it passed over the the city, including the Washington Monument and the White House.

Discovery‘s first space voyage was on August 30, 1980. The shuttle flew 39 space missions over the next 30 years. Its last mission was a trip to the International Space Station.

See more pictures from Discovery‘s last flight on National Geographic News.

See space shuttle pictures on National Geographic Kids.

Watch a video about space shuttle history on National Geographic Kids.

Photograph courtesy Glenn Benson, NASA

Comments

wowdude25
April 18, 2012, 2:09 pm

wow, looks worn out. Hope its looked after at its new place. Imagine seeing it fly over your house, that would be cool!!!!!!!!
APPLE5010
April 19, 2012, 6:12 pm

WOW awesome i saw it fly over a bridge in florida it looks amazing.
it also had a fighter jet guarding it fly in front.hope you all saw it

YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY AND YAY
winners27
April 20, 2012, 2:44 am

worn out! And with it’s history it’s gonna security guards around the display
winners27
April 22, 2012, 4:00 am

Bye bye Discovery we’ll miss you!but your fans will visit you in your new home.

-From,winners27
P.S.-You need a bath
ILovePiano
April 22, 2012, 6:47 am

COOL! I wish I could see it, but I’m native to Indonesia, and I won’t change! Anyway, I hope it wouldn’t be homesick there! Well, I feel rather sorry for it. It was built to fly to outer space and return safely. I’m sure that if it had human feelings, it would feel REALLY old. Well, maybe it’s time to go to the retirement center and stay cool. Have a great time, Discovery, and WE LOVE YOU!!
qm666
April 22, 2012, 3:41 pm

I was always interested in NASA and space, so I LOVE this video!!!
oceangirl15
April 22, 2012, 7:12 pm

I’m glad Discovery is going to a museum instead of being melted down and sold for scraps!
hubblespacetelescope11
April 25, 2012, 12:53 pm

I agree with you, qm666 and oceangirl15. I wish I could have seen it. I am obsessed with stars and the universe. It must have been cool. Good bye Discovery. I wish I could visit you but I can’t cause I’m in Africa – Africa born and bred.
Saba123
August 25, 2012, 1:38 am

Awesome video about the space shuttle…. I wish I was in Washington at that time to see it fly over the city.