Discovery space shuttle final flight above Joint Base Andrews

Photo by Bobby Jones A NASA Shuttle Carrier aircraft carrying the space shuttle Discovery flies above Joint Base Andrews with a NASA chase plane escort, April 17.

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U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston A NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying the space shuttle Discovery performs a flyby April 17 at Joint Base Andrews, MD. The retired shuttle will land at Washington Dulles International Airport for delivery to the National Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center.

Photo by Bobby Jones A NASA Shuttle Carrier aircraft carrying the space shuttle Discovery flies above Joint Base Andrews with a NASA chase plane escort, April 17.

 

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Marking the end of an era in America's space exploration endeavors, the space shuttle Discovery made its final flight over Andrews and the National Capitol Region on April 17, riding atop a modified Boeing 747.

The shuttle's final destination is the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Udvar-Hazy center in Virginia, which houses many other space-related artifacts.

First taking flight in 1984, Discovery served as NASA's fleet leader until it completed its final mission in March of 2011.

Discovery's sister ships, Endeavour and Atlantis are slated to retire later this year, as NASA closes the space shuttle program.