Smithsonian welcomes Discovery to space collection
Thursday - 4/19/2012, 10:20am ET
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Associated Press
CHANTILLY, Va. - Space shuttle Discovery is preparing to move into its new home at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum annex in northern Virginia.
The world's most traveled spaceship will be lifted off its Boeing 747 carrier and towed to the museum near Dulles International Airport.
Discovery and Enterprise will be rolled out nose to nose during a ceremony that will feature 20 astronauts who flew on Discovery during its 20 years of service.
The festivities, which kick off Thursday at 11 a.m., are expected to draw thousands of visitors who want an up-close look at the shuttle.
Former senator and astronaut John Glenn will help deliver Discovery to its retirement as an artifact representing the 30-year shuttle program.
The museum is hosting a four-day festival to showcase Discovery.
Curator Valerie Neal says Discovery will displayed as if it just landed. There will be an interactive display giving visitors a look inside the shuttle.
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