Today, Earthlings, space cadets and Washingtonians alike saw the final moments of NASA Discovery's last flight to the Smithsonian.

Yes, the space shuttle is retiring to President Obama's back yard. No, we didn't know it would be so cool to see it flyby our house.

We're sad to see you leave, Discovery, but we love watching you go.

 Did you spot the shuttle? Tweet us your pic via @glittarazzi with #spottheshuttle!

Party with Discovery

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.
Thursday, April 19 - 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, Parking $15 

Space Shuttle Discovery will be transferred to the Smithsonian and placed on permanent display.

Get there early. 

For more information see Directions, Parking and Attendee Tips.  

The parking lot and building open two hours early at 8:00 am. McDonald's will provide food service inside and outside. The outside ceremony area opens at 9:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm. The building will be open one hour late, until 6:30 pm. The Engen Observation Tower will be open from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm only. Please note some activities listed below end early.

11:00 am Discovery Arrives at the Udvar-Hazy Center for Transfer Ceremony

Music by the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps

Appearance by Discovery crew members

Nose-to-nose meeting of Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise

11:30 am Ceremony

National Anthem by mezzo soprano Denyce Graves

Speakers:

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden

Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough

National Air and Space Museum Director Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey

Former Senator and Astronaut John Glenn

Chair of Smithsonian Board of Regents France Córdova    

Presentation of the orbiter's achievements

Formal signing of document transferring Discovery from NASA to the Smithsonian

Noon - 4:00 pm

You are invited to view both Discovery and Enterprise and take photographs.

Noon - 4:30 pm Activities

A huge array of activities are planned inside and outside. See thefull list of activities >>

4:00 pm Watch the shuttles as they are moved

Enterprise is moved into position beside the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. Enterprise, which has been on view at the Udvar-Hazy Center since it opened in 2003, will be moved to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, arriving at JFK Airport on April 23.

Discovery is moved into the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar for permanent display.

Discovery NASA Social

We are teaming up with NASA to host the first NASA Social to celebrate the arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery on April 19 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Participants, the Museum and NASA will all be sharing their experiences through their favorite social networks. Registration to be one of the 30 invited to be in the NASA Social group is now closed, but we invite everyone to join the conversation on Twitter via the #NASASocial hash tag, or follow updates on Facebook and Google .

The Welcome Discovery festival is presented in cooperation with NASA. Support for the Welcome Discovery ceremony is generously provided by The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation.