Space Shuttle Discovery Retires to Air & Space Museum

The Space Shuttle Discovery was officially received by the Smithsonian Institution April 19 and placed on permanent display, replacing the shuttle Enterprise at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, next to Dulles Airport. The two crafts met nose-to-nose at a sunlit ceremony that celebrated the space program’s achievements with calls for greater education and for most space exploration.

With music by the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and Marine Corps Color Guard, the “Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. Participants included 14 of Discovery’s 31 living commanders. Speakers included NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, National Air and Space Museum Director J.R. “Jack” Dailey, former astronaut and Senator John Glenn and chair of the Smithsonian board of regents France Córdova.

Discovery moves into the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, and the Enterprise will move to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on the Hudson River in New York City.