I went on a very special date this weekend. She has traveled all around the world, loves science and has wonderful curves! She redefined my perspective in regards to space travel and humbled my understanding on American history in space. Her name was Discovery.
When you walk into the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, you cannot help but to see her. As the floor opens up into an impressive display of aerospace history, the center spotlight is reserved for a very special exhibit. Standing tall in her own designated hanger is the Space Shuttle Discovery.
It is hard not to be impressed when you began to review her impressive resume. She entered service in 1984, picked up the standard following the Challenger tragedy and delivered the Hubble Telescope. Additionally, she completed 5,830 orbits of Earth, spent 365 days in space, and completed 39 missions during her tenure.
The Discovery, along with her sisters (Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Atlantis and Endeavour), became the icons of American spaceflight for 35 years before their retirement on July 21, 2011.
For a space geek, it does not get any better than this. It is like getting an autograph from your favorite football player or catching a foul ball at the World Series. When I began to really appreciate and consider all that the Space Shuttle represented, I became overwhelmed. Further, to be standing less than 10 feet away from her was the cherry on top. To truly experience an iconic moment in American history is something that I would recommend to anyone.
The Space Shuttles are currently on display at the following locations:
When you walk into the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, you cannot help but to see her. As the floor opens up into an impressive display of aerospace history, the center spotlight is reserved for a very special exhibit. Standing tall in her own designated hanger is the Space Shuttle Discovery.
It is hard not to be impressed when you began to review her impressive resume. She entered service in 1984, picked up the standard following the Challenger tragedy and delivered the Hubble Telescope. Additionally, she completed 5,830 orbits of Earth, spent 365 days in space, and completed 39 missions during her tenure.
The Discovery, along with her sisters (Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Atlantis and Endeavour), became the icons of American spaceflight for 35 years before their retirement on July 21, 2011.
For a space geek, it does not get any better than this. It is like getting an autograph from your favorite football player or catching a foul ball at the World Series. When I began to really appreciate and consider all that the Space Shuttle represented, I became overwhelmed. Further, to be standing less than 10 feet away from her was the cherry on top. To truly experience an iconic moment in American history is something that I would recommend to anyone.
The Space Shuttles are currently on display at the following locations:
- Shuttle Atlantis - Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
- Shuttle Discovery - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Shuttle Endeavour - California Science Center
- Shuttle Enterprise - Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
