Space Shuttle Discovery's Final Flight Ends at Dulles

NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery, which has been hauling astronauts to and from Earth's orbit since 1984, takes its swan song flight over the Washington Metropolitan Area next week.

On Tuesday, April 17, area residents can catch a glimpse of the shuttle as it travels on the back of a Boeing 747 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to . Discovery will pass over the National Mall, Reagan National Airport, the National Harbor, and the Smithsonian's , which will serve as its permanent home.

In Virginia, a number will be available that passes along reports of the shuttle's whereabouts, 703-572-4100. In Maryland and Washington, DC, the number will be 202-633-9100. People can also check on Discovery's progress online.

According to NASA, the best place to view Discovery's descent into the airport will be the parking lot of the ; although the actual touchdown will not be visible. The Smithsonian charges a $15 fee for parking, though admission to the museum is free. The lot opens at 8 a.m.

Discovery first launched on Aug. 30, 1984, on a mission to deploy three communications satellites. It was NASA's third space shuttle orbiter and has completed more than 30 missions—topping all other orbiters in NASA's fleet. Discovery carryied the Hubble Space Telescope into space in 1990 and returned to Hubble twice to perform service.

The Smithsonian has an online feature available where people can see the inside of the space shuttle. The museum has also planned a range of activities for those interested in participating.