Discovery (For Real)
I visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C when I was twelve and, yes, I had the freeze dried ice cream. Yet, this museum is known for more than its freeze-dried foods: it is home to one of the most important spaceships in aeronautic history, Discovery.
Discovery’s flights spanned 30 years, from 1981 to 2011, in the era of what was known as the Space Shuttle Program, which created the first reusable spacecraft that carried a total of 184 crew, not even counting those who flew twice. Discovery carried out a total of 39 missions, more than any other space shuttle orbiter, and flew a grand total of 150 million miles. Discovery’s final launch took place in 2011 as it set off to the International Space Station one last time.
Discovery is currently on display in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center in Chantilly, Virginia.
What made Discovery so unique?
Nasa’s most flown orbiter (A total of 365 days in space, and a total of 150 million miles flown!)
Discovery flew following the tragedies of the Challenger in 1986 and Columbia (2003), and gave Americans hope and resilience for successful space missions.
Discovery was the first to dock at the International Space Station
Discovery launched the Hubble Space Telescope, the first of its kind to take high-quality pictures of space and the universe.
Discovery was lighter and more efficient than any other space orbiter at the time.
