Dec
06

Today in Smithsonian History: December 6, 1985

The space shuttle Enterprise inside a hangar at Dulles International Airport (July 1988) as featured in the Torch, September 1988. (Photo by Mark Avino)

The space shuttle Enterprise inside a hangar at Dulles International Airport (July 1988). Photo by Mark Avino,  as featured in the Torch, September 1988.

December 6, 1985 NASA officially transfers the Space Shuttle Enterprise to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum at a black-tie gala at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.  Enterprise was restored and placed on display in 2003 at the Smithsonian’s new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Following the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, Discovery replaced Enterprise at the Udvar-Hazy Center, and Enterprise was transferred to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where it has been on display since July 2012.

Space Shuttle Enterprise in launch configuration. (Photo by U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. James R Pearson)

Space Shuttle Enterprise in launch configuration. (Photo by U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. James R Pearson)

The Enterprise on display at the national Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 2007. (Photo by Ad Meskens)

The Enterprise on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 2007. (Photo by Ad Meskens)

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 6 December 2018
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