On April 17, 2012, the space shuttle Discovery made its final flight, riding piggy-back on a specially equipped 747 over the Capitol, White House, and the National Mall before touching down at Dulles International Airport. The retired shuttle's final resting home will be at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Curators plan to display the space craft in its well-loved, working state--unwashed, with cracked ceramic tiles and scorched underbelly.
Since its maiden voyage on August 30, 1984 until the completion of its final mission on March 9, 2011, Discovery has traveled more than any other aircraft, having flown 149 million miles (238 million km) in 39 missions, completed 5,830 orbits, and spent 365 days in orbit in over 27 years.
Farewell, Space Shuttle Discovery!
Space Shuttle Fun Facts
Space Shuttle Paper Model
Print and fold a flying Paper Airplane Space Shuttle Endeavour or Discovery:
SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY
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SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR
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Difficulty: Easy
Directions:
1. Print and cut out paper plane Space Shuttle. Fold back horizontally along A.
2. With printed side down, fold diagonally along C and D.
3. Fold tip along E.
4. Fold in half along B.
5. Note that there are two vertical lines along the fuselage, to either side of the center fold. Fold these down to open up the wings, as shown in the final sample.
6. Tape or staple fuselage as shown. Fold wing flaps up as shown...these can be adjusted as you test your paper airplane Space Shuttle.
©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.