Space Shuttle Discovery takes final flight —to a museum

Space Shuttle Discovery, the oldest and most traveled in the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's fleet, is to make its final takeoff Tuesday (US time) for what may be its final mission.

 

The shuttle was to be transported to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, the Washington Post reported.

 

Discovery was to take off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center for Washington aboard a modified jumbo jet to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will become one of the attractions.

 

Both the jet and Discovery are to fly south down the Cape Canaveral beach before turning north. A low flyover is planned once they reach Washington.

 

Discovery is the first of the three retired space shuttles to head to a museum.

 

It will go on display at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, taking the place of the shuttle prototype Enterprise.

 

On the other hand, the Enterprise will shuffle off to New York City.

 

Another shuttle, Endeavour, will head to Los Angeles this fall while Atlantis, whose last mission ended the Space Shuttle Era, will remain at Kennedy. — TJD, GMA News