Discovery's final flight. (Photos)

[wls3]

Backlit by the dawn sun as it flew south down the coast before turning north towards Washington.

Guessing at the turning point and trying to be inside it to get a few shots with the sun on Discovery.



God Speed Discovery, the Space Coast will miss you.

Last edited by wls3 on Mon May 10, 2021 8:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

Well done Bill! Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[TROJANII]

Where is it going to wind up?

[TAdan]

Beautiful shots Bill, thanks so much for posting them. I watched the take-off this morning on the NASA TV webcast.

Discovery is going to (and has arrived at) the NASM Udvar-Hazy center at Dulles Airport, outside of Washington D.C.

[Jerry O'Neill]

Really great shots Bill! I was at the receiving end in Washington with my Grandson Chris! We stood by the Lincoln Memorial and I don't think there was a better location!


First sighting!!!! Discovery arrives early! 9:53AM EST! Flying from North to South over the Potomac!


All eyes are on Discovery!


Over the Tidal Basin heading East.


Hail and Farewell Discovery!


Second of three passes, West to East down the South side of the Mall!


Last Pass.


Sad end to America's Manned Space Program for the foreseeable future. Rest in Peace Discovery.

[Pat Carry]

check out this video http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogall ... -momuments

[N3Njeff]

Anyone know what FL she came up the coast at??? I guess they did some passes before leaving fla as everyone I knew down there was posting pics on FB.

[robkamm]

we (ny area) are getting our non space shuttle on monday between 9-12 am.I hear. route to be announced. Hope to see it. thanks for posting the pics. I saw it flying piggy back as a kid in the 1980s. we all went out into the school yard to see it. i think i was in 2nd grade or something.

[RMAllnutt]

Fabulous shots guys! I especially loved your shot from behind the Washington Monument looking towards the Capitol Building Jerry... awesome composition!

I was there when she arrived at Dulles. She actually flew right over my head at about 300 feet! It was a marvelous experience, and one I shall not soon forget.

Cheers,
Richard

[Jerry O'Neill]

Nice Richard!
It looks like it was a bit more exciting there then on the Mall! (It was still really exciting there!)
Glad we talked... wish we could've hooked up!
Cheers!
Jerry

[Roger Cain]

Nice pictures everyone, thanks for sharing with those of us that couldn't be there.

[wls3]

Discovery's take off was scheduled for 07:00. She left KSC and flew south down the coast before turning north at Patrick AFB which is where I was.
Beaches were packed with people before the sun rose.
Nice to see the pictures you guys posted from the other end of the journey.
My last shot above was taken at 07:08 and you guys spot her at 09:53! I'd say we had this event covered pretty good.
Point of intrest, the T-38 flying on the wing in my photo has a tail numer of 23. I see from Richard's photo the T-38 there has a tail number of 55.

Think a fine job was done showcasing Discovery today.

[RMAllnutt]

Many thanks Jerry. It was nice chatting, and it would have been great to meet up. Next time I hope.

Bill, that's really cool about the details on the flight. Interesting too that the T-38's were different airframes. You had such amazing light in your images too. Just beautiful images.

Cheers,
Richard

[APG85]

Fantastic set of photos at this link:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Discov ... n_VAB.html

[Pat Carry]

Ok, here is a question for everyone. How do they get the shuttle off the 747 there at Udvar Hazy? I know in Florida they have a hoist built just for this heavy task but I assume a similar hoist is not in place there at the NASM.