The prototype space shuttle Enterprise took a photogenic journey past New York City's landmarks today as it sailed on a barge to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, its new home on the Hudson River.
Enterprise never went into space — instead, it was used for aerodynamic test flights during the early days of the shuttle program. After spending years in storage and on exhibit, including a long run at the Smithsonian in Washington, it was flown piggyback-style atop NASA's modified jumbo jet to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in April. This week, Enterprise made its way from JFK, to a New Jersey port, and finally to the Intrepid as hundreds watched in awe.
"I've never seen a space shuttle, and I'm looking at one," Thomas Hoffler, 69, who described himself as homeless, told The Associated Press today. "I'm just spellbound."
The watching crowd applauded as the craft was settled into place on the Intrepid's flight deck. "It's a piece of history there," 85-year-old Morty Stein told Reuters. Get the full story from Space.com's Denise Chow.
Related links:
- The Enterprise makes Intrepid landing
- Space shuttle Enterprise takes a tour of New York City
- More photos as the space shuttles on PhotoBlog
