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Space Shuttle Discovery

February 28, 2012

Space Shuttle Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet, will be accepted into the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum collection at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

Related releases: 

Discovery Has Landed (VIDEO)

Shuttle Touched Down at Dulles Airport; Next Stop—Smithsonian

April 17, 2012

The shuttle Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in history, landed at Dulles airport today at 11:05 a.m. EDT.

National Air and Space Museum Announces Plans for “Welcome Discovery” Event

February 28, 2012

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is offering a series of activities to celebrate the acquisition of the space shuttle Discovery. The event will begin when the orbiter arrives in the Washington metro area Tuesday, April 17, weather permitting. Discovery will be transferred from NASA to the museum in a public ceremony April 19 at the Steven F.

Photo Release: Space Shuttle Discovery Acquired by the Smithsonian

April 19, 2012

On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the Smithsonian received from NASA the Space shuttle Discovery, which will take the place of the Space shuttle Enterprise at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

Space shuttles Enterprise and Discovery nose to nose

Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and NASA Announce Places to “Spot the Shuttle”

April 12, 2012

The Space Shuttle Discovery, expected to arrive in the skies over the Washington area Tuesday, April 17, will be a sight people do not see every day. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, which will receive the historic orbiter from NASA in a ceremony April 19, is encouraging people to look skyward to witness the sight.

Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and NASA Will Invite 30 of Their Social Media Followers to Welcome Space Shuttle Discovery

March 9, 2012

The National Air and Space Museum and NASA will invite 30 of their social media followers to the first “NASA Social” April 19 to welcome space shuttle Discovery to the National Collection. Registration opens at noon EDT Thursday, March 15, and closes at noon EDT Friday, March 16. Registration is at www.nasa.gov/social.

Space Shuttle Discovery Flies to the Smithsonian

April 17, 2012

Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet, departed Kennedy Space Center in Florida around dawn today, and is expected to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport about 11 a.m. EDT.

Space Shuttle Discovery Joins the National Collection

April 12, 2011

Discovery, the longest-serving orbiter in the space shuttle fleet, will be accepted into the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum collection. The space shuttle has been the icon for American spaceflight for a generation, and Discovery has flown every type of mission during its 27-year career.

Related photos: 

Astronauts Walking with Discovery

Photo: John Gibbons, Smithsonian

Astronauts walk next to a rolling Space shuttle Discovery during a special ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F.

Discovery Atop 747 - In Midair

Photo: NASA/Rebecca Roth

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.

Discovery Atop 747 - Landing Gear Down

Photo: John Gibbons, Smithsonian

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) prepares for landing at Dulles International Airport, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Chantilly, Va. 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.

Discovery Atop 747 - Natural History and Washington Monument

Photo: Chun-Hsi Wong, Smithsonian

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is seen from the National Mall as it flies near the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the Washington Monument (foreground) Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

Discovery Atop 747 - Smithsonian Castle

Photo: Chun-Hsi Wong, Smithsonian

Space shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) is seen from the National Mall as it flies near the Smithsonian Castle (foreground) Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Washington, D.C. 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.

Discovery Atop 747 - Washington Skyline

Photo: NASA/Robert Markowitz

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. 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.

Discovery in Suspension

Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls

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

Shuttles Nose to Nose

Photo: Carolyn Russo, Smithsonian

Space Shuttles Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the beginning of a transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Chantilly, Va.

Space Shuttle Enterprise Exiting the Hangar

Photo: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Space Shuttle Enterprise is rolled from the Space Hangar at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center prior to a transfer ceremony, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Chantilly, Va.

Space Shuttle Noses Overlapping

Photo: John Gibbons, Smithsonian

Space Shuttles Enterprise, left, and Discovery meet nose-to-nose during the a transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in Chantilly, Va.

Related fact sheets: 
Related Staff Bios: 

John R. "Jack" Dailey

Director, National Air and Space Museum

Gen. J.R. “Jack” Dailey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps four star general and pilot, assumed the duties of director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in January 2000.

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John R. "Jack" Dailey, Director, National Air and Space Museum

Gen. John R. “Jack” Dailey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general and pilot, assumed the duties of director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in January 2000.

Photo Credit: Ken Rahaim, Smithsonian Institution

Wayne Clough [Brief Bio]

Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Wayne Clough is the 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. The Smithsonian includes 19 museums and galleries, 20 libraries, the National Zoo and nine research centers and has activities in nearly 100 countries.

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Secretary Clough

Photo: Smithsonian Institution

Secretary Clough at NASM

Photo: Ken Rahaim, Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough at the National Air and Space Museum

Secretary Clough in Wyoming

Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

Secretary Clough Monochrome Portrait

Photo: Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough

Secretary Clough on a dig

 Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough at a dig site in Wyoming.

Secretary Clough Standing

Photo: Rob Felt, Georgia Tech

Smithsonian Institution Secretary G. Wayne Clough

Secretary Wayne Clough Visits the National Postal Museum

Secretary Wayne Clough views the collection at the National Postal Museum.

Photo credit: Ken Rahaim, Smithsonian Institution

Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Photo Credit: Carl C. Hansen, Smithsonian

Wayne Clough is the 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, leading the world’s largest museum and research complex with 19 museums, nine research centers, the National Zoo and research activities in more than 90 countries.
 

Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Wayne Clough is the 12th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, leading the world’s largest museum and research complex with 19 museums, nine research centers, the National Zoo and research activities in more than 90 countries.

Photo Credit: Ken Rahaim, Smithsonian Institution
 

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Backgrounder - Space Shuttle Discovery 29.78 KB
Overview of Activities for “Welcome Discovery”29.89 KB
Welcome Discovery Festival - Scheduled Activities154.98 KB
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