Space Shuttle Discovery to Fly Over Washington Metro Area April 17

[N40GL]

This announcement materialized on NASA's web site this morning.
============================== ==================
WASHINGTON -- NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with space shuttle Discovery mounted atop will fly approximately 1,500 feet above various parts of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on Tuesday, April 17.

The flight, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, is scheduled to occur between 10 and 11 a.m. EDT. NASA Television and the agency's web site will provide live coverage.

The exact route and timing of the flight depend on weather and operational constraints. However, the aircraft is expected to fly near a variety of landmarks in the metropolitan area, including the National Mall, Reagan National Airport, National Harbor and the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center. When the flyover is complete, the SCA will land at Dulles International Airport.

Discovery completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles. NASA will transfer Discovery to the National Air and Space Museum to begin its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and to educate and inspire future generations of explorers.

If the flight must be postponed for any reason, an additional notice will be released.

For more information about NASA's transfer of space shuttles to museums, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/transition

[Marauder_Santa]

I had a chance to see this 747 with the shuttle atop it a few times while stationed at Kelly AFB Texas. It is quite a site. It would stop in San Antonio to refuel and spend the night whenever it was being transported from Edwards AFB (where it would sometimes land due to weather in Fla) to Kennedy Space center.

[Mebot]

I am making plans to work out of our Herndon office on Tuesday. Our building is off Sunrise Valley Dr near Rt 28 and 267. We have a great view of the airport and I'm looking forward to this!

[MercOut]

It should pass over me. I work on 14th and Independence

[Bluerauder]

I'll probably get a good view from the 8th floor of my buiding here near Fairfax, VA.

[RichardP]

The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft is being prepped as we speak!!

[jerrym3]

Few weeks ago, they closed off some airspace along the Hudson to allow a low level fly over by two military jets. Seems they were checking something out for upcoming Fleet Week.

Jets flew from the Verrazano Bridge north to the GW Bridge, and then flew back.

I tried to get some pictures, but trying to get a good shot with my camera's small screen was tough.

Look carefully, and you might catch a sight of the jets.

[Bluerauder]

I'll probably get a good view from the 8th floor of my buiding here near Fairfax, VA.

The "Discovery"/B-747 Fly-By of DC and the Metro area is planned between 10:00 AM and 10:40 AM this morning. The scheduled landing is at 10:40 AM at Dulles International Airport (IAD). I should be in position on the 8th floor deck by 10:30 AM and try to catch it as it passes the Fairfax area. Maybe it would be better on the top level of the parking garage.

[Marauderman]

The "Discovery"/B-747 Fly-By of DC and the Metro area is planned between 10:00 AM and 10:40 AM this morning. The scheduled landing is at 10:40 AM at Dulles International Airport (IAD). I should be in position on the 8th floor deck by 10:30 AM and try to catch it as it passes the Fairfax area. Maybe it would be better on the top level of the parking garage.

Take pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bluerauder]

Take pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unbelieveable !!!! Best seat in the house from the top of the parking garage at my building. It flew directly over us at 10:30 AM @ about 1,500-2,000 feet altitude. Great pics of the approach, passing and departure. Will post up the pics when I get home tonight. :up:

I think the pilot was flying "IFR" using the "I Follow Roads" technique. ;) Looked like he was using the Capital Beltway as his guideline for the cruise around the city.

[Mebot]

We had excellent visibility from our office too and great shot of the landing. Our office sits right next to the North end of the runway. Amazing experience!

[VMARAUDER]

My brother with I think Discovery's last flight. I will ask him. He worked at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and his group went out to Florida before the launch. Could not stay for launch, he had to get back to the control room in Houston.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28 628&d=1334696076

[Bluerauder]

Here are some of my pics from the Fly-By from the top level of the parking garage at my office complex. Too bad that the sky was cloudy and overcast. The sky cleared up nicely later in the day. I was so busy taking pics that I didn't notice the T-38 chase plane in every shot.


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery1.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery3.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery4.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery5.JPG

[FastMerc]

Here are some of my pics from the Fly-By from the top level of the parking garage at my office complex. Too bad that the sky was cloudy and overcast. The sky cleared up nicely later in the day. I was so busy taking pics that I didn't notice the T-38 chase plane in every shot.


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery1.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery3.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery4.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Discovery5.JPG
Those are cool pics,thanks guy...

[N40GL]

Not the best, but here's video that I shot (a small clip of it, anyway).

http://youtu.be/pJ21sTOcKpI

[VMARAUDER]

Thanks for the pics, I wish I could have see this last flight
When you get a chance to see such marvelous machine as that it is really exciting. I believe there are greater days ahead for NASA...fresh young imaginative minds will journey further than you could ever dream. I have enjoyed the space ride since the first Gemini launch and I am waiting for more.

[Siege]

Found on Gizmodo:

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17jvedbln8ekkjpg/original.jpg

[Bluerauder]

My youngest son works at Dulles International Airport (IAD). He and his friends got some up close and personal pics ....


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC012691.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC01293.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC01294.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC01300.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC01306.JPG

[MM03MOK]

Nice, Charlie!!!

[guspech750]

Awesome pictures folks. Really like them.


Sent from my iPhone
Eaton Swap + 4.10's = Wreeeeeeeeeedom!!

[N40GL]

As viewed from the roof of a nearby building.

[N40GL]

Same site as the prior post.

Lookit those tiles!!

[Mr. Man]

Nice pics guys.

Is that space dirt on the shuttle or was NASA just to lazy to wash it?

[N40GL]

All three planes in the sky.

[MM2004]

Mark.

Damn those are nice pics!

:bows:

Mike.

[HammerDown]

Charlie-----Mark


Enjoyed viewing you VERY COOL pics--thanks for sharing :)

[Bluerauder]

Charlie-----Mark


Enjoyed viewing you VERY COOL pics--thanks for sharing :)

They are flying the "Enterprise" to NYC today. Think the plane departed Dulles around 10:00 AM and is supposed to fly up the Hudson. Maybe some of our NY/NJ members will get some pics today.

[jerrym3]

Watched it fly right over our heads while standing on the Palisades Cliffs/Jersey side of the Hudson River.

WOW!

Took pictures, but they didn't come out too good.