They Came In Peace For All Mankind
Discovery over the National Museum of Natural History.
![Discovery over the National Museum of Natural History.](/images/2012-04-17-discovery/natural-history.jpg)
Discovery approaching the Washington Monument
![Discovery approaching the Washington Monument](/images/2012-04-17-discovery/monument-approach.jpg)
Discovery passing the Washington Monument.
![Discovery passing the Washington Monument.](/images/2012-04-17-discovery/monument-portrait.jpg)
A side view of Discovery, the transport plane, and the escort.
![A side view of Discovery, the transport plane, and the escort.](/images/2012-04-17-discovery/side-view.jpg)
Departure.
![Departure.](/images/2012-04-17-discovery/departure.jpg)
The Space Shuttle Discovery moved to its new home at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. Discovery was transported on the back of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and was escorted by fighter jets.
Discovery is the oldest remaining spacefaring shuttle, traveled 149 million miles, and is the most-flown human-carrying spacecraft.
I went down the the National Mall and watched the Shuttle make a few passes around DC landmarks.