Space Shuttle Discovery retires to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

We were fortunate enough to be in attendance at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum today, where the legendary Space Shuttle Discovery retired to its new home. Amidst the cheering crowds and glaring sun, we watched as the shuttle taxied gently to its new resting place. The shuttle is actually a little bizarre to see in-person — this thing was in outer space — and up close it looks like huge portions of the craft are covered in a gauze-like substance. Discovery is the longest-serving orbiting spacecraft, and flew 39 times between 1984 and 2011, spending a total of 365 days in space. And now, it’s getting a well deserved break.