Space shuttles Enterprise (left) and Discovery on display during a ceremony to transfer ownership of Discovery to the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19, 2012. The Discovery takes t SPACE SHUTTLES ENTERPRISE (LEFT) AND DISCOVERY ON DISPLAY DURING A CEREMONY TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF DISCOVERY TO THE SMITHSONIAN'S STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER ON APRIL 19, 2012. THE DISCOVERY TAKES THE PLACE OF THE ENTERPRISE AT THE MUSEUM. THE ENTERPRISE NEVER FLEW IN SPACE. THE DISCOVERY WAS NOT CLEANED AFTER ITS FINAL MISSION TO SPACE.

On Tuesday, the space shuttle Discovery was flown to Dulles-International Airport for transfer to the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Today, the shuttle was finally put in its new home. The Smithsonian and NASA had a ceremony in which NASA transferred ownership of Discovery to the Smithsonian. Discovery took the place of the shuttle Enterprise in the Smithsonian’s collection. It was very interesting seeing the two shuttles nose-to-nose. Enterprise never flew into space and was mostly used for landing tests. On the other hand, Discovery flew 39 missions and logged 365 days in space. I’m actually glad the Smithsonian plans to keep Discovery in its current shape, instead of making it spotless. I think this decision lets Discovery’s hard-working nature come through.

Space shuttle Discovery is moved into its new home at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19, 2012. Discovery takes the place of the museum's previous shuttle, Enterprise. SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY IS MOVED INTO ITS NEW HOME AT THE STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER ON APRIL 19, 2012. DISCOVERY TAKES THE PLACE OF THE MUSEUM'S PREVIOUS SHUTTLE, ENTERPRISE.

A young boy holds his drawing of the space shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19, 2012. A YOUNG BOY HOLDS HIS DRAWING OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY AT THE STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER ON APRIL 19, 2012.

Visitors to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center were encouraged to sign a banner for the space shuttle Discovery's induction on April 19, 2012. VISITORS TO THE STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER WERE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN A BANNER FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY'S INDUCTION ON APRIL 19, 2012.

Instructors used a cooperative exercise to teach children about teamwork during "Welcome Discovery" celebrations at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on April 19, 2012. The goal was to move the plush pi INSTRUCTORS USED A COOPERATIVE EXERCISE TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT TEAMWORK DURING "WELCOME DISCOVERY" CELEBRATIONS AT THE STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER ON APRIL 19, 2012. THE GOAL WAS TO MOVE THE PLUSH PIG TO ONE OF THE POSTERS ON THE FLOOR WITHOUT DROPPING IT.

Gallery