Space shuttle Discovery

[BravoZero]

As some people may be aware, the NASA space shuttle Discovery was scheduled for retirement and was to be re-homed to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in northern Virginia. The shuttle, attached to a carrier 747, left Kennedy Space Center earlier this morning around 7:00 eastern time. On it's voyage to the Air and Space Museum, the crew circled Washington DC on it's way to making the landing at Dulles International Airport shortly after 11:00 this morning.

Fortunately, I work about a mile away from Dulles airport and got to witness a couple of flyby's and the landing itself. About 50 people from our building gathered at the top of the parking structure to watch. I missed the first flyby, which I was told came pretty close to the building. The second and final flyby and the landing I did get to see, and it was by far one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Sure, to some people, it's just an aircraft carrying another vehicle on top and flying around. But this shuttle is part of history, and the mark of the end of manned space exploration for the time being. To witness that gigantic piece of history and the event itself was awesome. It's hard to explain, really. I've always been fascinated by NASA, space exploration, aircraft... you name it. And it all came together for one event in multiple ways.

I managed to take a couple of pictures, but nothing spectacular since the camera on my phone isn't the best. But you can clearly see the shuttle sitting on top of the 747, along with the escort aircraft.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4602/imag0225l.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4489/imag0226c.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4546/imag0227i.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1362/imag0230d.jpg

[MTZL]

Sad day for Space shuttle Discovery.

[OverCorrupt]

First off, you are very lucky to get to see it! i wanted to but was sleeping at the time :mad:

I get the chills every time i think of what that ship has been through and what it means. The Discovery had very many firsts just as it should after its name! The first U.S. Ship to carry a Russian Astronaut as well as being the first flight piloted by a female to dock for the first time to the Russian Space Station all in one run! It also revived the space missions after the accidents with the other shuttles.

It is very sad to see this era ending, but at the same time, The Discovery did its job. It deserves a nice retirement home! But the transition period its bringing forth is going to be a very interesting one! It will be Private Companies that will be doing cargo deliveries to the space station of course being paid compensation by NASA. So hopefully we can start seeing more competition of going into space and different designs of ships/rockets starting to go into effect.

[TheBlackBeast]

Sweet - thanks for posting pics!
I have always been a fan of the space shuttle. I remember our whole school watching coverage of when the first shuttle was lost. I visited a launch of one of the shuttles from Kennedy. Very cool to see its final voyage though.

[kenshin1015]

thanks for letting me be a part of that i truly appreciate it

[OverCorrupt]

Some family and friends on facebook shared some more pics, thought i would do the same.

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/LuckyBluffnJon/Discovery%20Shuttle/543565_3420342839185_1588615738_32785185_173828474 7_n.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/LuckyBluffnJon/Discovery%20Shuttle/541208_3420333598954_1588615738_32785183_302869914 _n.jpg

http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx36/LuckyBluffnJon/Discovery%20Shuttle/537777_10150743017987777_828432776_9161303_1141832 563_n.jpg

[BravoZero]

Truly is an amazing experience to see that shuttle in person, to know the history behind it. I honestly wish I could have been older to witness the joy and excitement of the entire shuttle program starting in the early 80's with Discovery's first mission. Such a shame to know that we no longer have any real space programs.

But it was also a joy to see everyone outside clapping and cheering as it flew by and when it touched down on the runway. I saw an older gentleman start crying, he was that proud to see it. I later find out he's a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, and as you know, the Air Force and NASA collaborate. So that was a touching moment for him as well.