Author Topic: My trip to see Space Shuttle Discovery... (Read 52142 times)

Overflow · « **on:** 08/19/2014 12:44 am »

Last year, I paid a visit to Atlantis two weeks after her exhibit opened to the public.

At that time, we were expecting to visit Endeavour in Los Angeles in summer of 2014, since I will be shipping out to US Air Force Basic Military Training in summer of 2015. However due to high airline costs, we decided to purchase tickets to Washington D.C. to see Discovery instead.

Since I plan to make a video of this visit, most of my memory card was taken up by video, which I will post in this thread as soon as it's all put together.

Now with all the boring stuff out of the way.. Here's my pictures from my visit and a mini-review of both Smithsonian Air and Space Museums.

Overflow · « **Reply #1 on:** 08/19/2014 12:48 am »

On our first day, we went to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum at the National Mall. In my honest opinion.. This museum is very outdated. Yes, they have an amazing collection at this museum, but the exhibits and museum itself need an update.

Overflow · « **Reply #2 on:** 08/19/2014 12:53 am »

This was my first time getting to see the National Mall's space shuttle exhibit. It was pretty nice.. But I feel like it didn't do the best job at telling the entire space shuttle story. But since this was called a "preview", I'm guessing that the Smithsonian plans on adding more to this exhibit. I really look forward to seeing what they end up doing to it.

The first picture may seem out of place... But I looked down an exhibit that they had marked off.. And look what I saw!

Overflow · « **Reply #3 on:** 08/19/2014 12:57 am »

The next day, we had our alarm clocks set for 7:00am and set out to the airport to pick up our rental car. It was a bright, bright red Ford Focus.

After Avis took about 2 years to get us our rental, we set off to Dulles.. 30 miles away.

One thing I have to say about the property that the Udvar Hazy Center is located on... is that it's absolutely beautiful out here.

Overflow · « **Reply #4 on:** 08/19/2014 01:06 am »

As soon as you walk through those golden gates.. You get a small view of Discovery.. This is when the excitement really started to show..

And there she is.. These pictures do Discovery no justice.. she is STUNNING!

Overflow · « **Reply #5 on:** 08/19/2014 01:10 am »

A little fact here.. While Discovery looks like she's sitting on her wheels.. She's actually not.

Overflow · « **Reply #6 on:** 08/19/2014 01:14 am »

The Smithsonian has a TV screen showing the final launch of Discovery.. It always had a crowd around it..

Also, some people wondered how close you can get to Discovery.. The answer is.. VERY CLOSE!

Overflow · « **Reply #7 on:** 08/19/2014 01:21 am »

Udvar-Hazy also offers different points of view to see the shuttle from as well.

Overflow · « **Reply #8 on:** 08/19/2014 01:32 am »

I guess I'll end the main portion of this picture tour the way I ended the Atlantis one.. To always look at the little details..

I'll be sure to add some smaller notes later.

The Udvar-Hazy Center is awesome. That's all that can be said. Believe me when I say that Discovery is in a place where she is very loved by both the staff and the people who come to see her. In my honest opinion, the Kennedy Space Center space shuttle exhibit was better.. But I don't feel that it's a fair contest considering that Atlantis has her own building while Discovery is among a collection. Nonetheless, a very stunning display. I will be back.

Davp99 · « **Reply #9 on:** 08/19/2014 08:37 pm »

Very Nice, Thank You

rayleighscatter · « **Reply #10 on:** 08/19/2014 11:55 pm »

Quote from: Overflow on 08/19/2014 12:48 am

On our first day, we went to the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum at the National Mall. In my honest opinion.. This museum is very outdated. Yes, they have an amazing collection at this museum, but the exhibits and museum itself need an update.

Fortunately the main hall is starting a major renovation and the Apollo to the Moon gallery is supposed to as well in the next couple years.

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #11 on:** 08/20/2014 08:01 pm »

Excellent photos!! I hope to get up to see her next summer!

brettreds2k · « **Reply #12 on:** 09/02/2014 07:03 pm »

I loved the exhibit when I went with my wife 2 years ago, last year we went to see Atlantis.

You took some beautiful pictures.

OV135 · « **Reply #13 on:** 09/03/2014 12:23 am »

Amazing. Great for reference for model builders like myself.

fdasun · « **Reply #14 on:** 09/03/2014 06:49 am »

Beautiful pictures ! Thank You !

I plan to re-visit KSC / Atlantis after Xmas. It was STS-125 blast-off when I saw her last time. Cannot wait any longer

MTom · « **Reply #15 on:** 09/04/2014 05:25 pm »

Nice pictures! I hope I could visit it sometimes in the future. It's a long trip from my country.

BTW, I didn't now it until I read his name above and I searched for it on Internet:
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy was born in my country, Hungary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_F._Udvar-H%C3%A1zy

His name is from the word "udvarházi", means: (a man) from a mansion.

Paper Kosmonaut · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/16/2014 08:01 pm »

Great photos! Good for reference when I finally will tackle the build of my 1/72 shuttle kit. Thanks for sharing!

clevelas · « **Reply #17 on:** 07/27/2016 06:47 pm »

I have a short notice work trip coming in a couple of weeks. I think I'll be able to add a couple of personal days. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy are tops on my list. Looking at where Udvar-Hazy is located, I'm guessing that will burn up most of a day (I won't have a car, so planning on public transportation from downtown Arlington).

Any suggestions on making the most of the trip? Methods of transportation, what to see on a limited time schedule?

Thanks.

Lar · « **Reply #18 on:** 07/27/2016 07:49 pm »

If Orange Line were extended all the way to Dulles you'd be in far better shape. Consider renting a car for a couple of days. (but then you're up against the 15 parking charge). Consider flying into, or out of Dulles instead of BWI or Reagan. Getting a Metro card is a good idea it saves time. You'll lose the fare you didn't use up, though.

leovinus · « **Reply #19 on:** 07/27/2016 08:23 pm »

If you happen to come into Washington DC by plane, via Dulles, maybe you can first visit Udvar -Hazy as it is in spitting distance of Dulles airport. For example, I sometimes come in from the West Coast on a red-eye at 6am, then there is time to visit Udvar-Hazy before going downtown later.

clevelas · « **Reply #20 on:** 07/27/2016 08:40 pm »

I am thinking about flying out of Dulles. Flights don't leave for the west coast until like 5:30, so I could get in a full day at Udvar-Hazy. Other than I'd have to pack my luggage around. Do airports still have lockers?

e of pi · « **Reply #21 on:** 08/19/2016 12:04 pm »

Quote from: clevelas on 07/27/2016 08:40 pm

I am thinking about flying out of Dulles. Flights don't leave for the west coast until like 5:30, so I could get in a full day at Udvar-Hazy. Other than I'd have to pack my luggage around. Do airports still have lockers?

Don't know about the airport--you could always check your bag in the morning, then go to the museum with just your carry-on.

I had a late night layover at Dulles last weekend that was delayed in, and I ended up not flying out until evening the next day. So I went to Udvar-Hazy, and really enjoyed it.

craigcocca · « **Reply #22 on:** 08/19/2016 12:57 pm »

When I did this, I got a cheap car rental for 20 bucks and just drove over with my luggage in the trunk. This also allowed me some additional flexibility at the end of the day by not having to worry about the last shuttle back from Udvar-Hazy to IAD.

Tony Trout · « **Reply #23 on:** 08/25/2016 02:44 am »

To the OP: Those are amazing photos!!! I would love to see an exhibit like that but - being disabled, I don't think it's gonna happen, sadly.

yg1968 · « **Reply #24 on:** 08/29/2016 09:13 pm »

I went to see Discovery last week. It's amazing to see how big the orbiter actually is. It's a lot larger than you expect. It was worth the trip.