The intense preparation of theNASA space shuttlesto be exhibited in three museums in the United States began from the day each of the orbiters made landfall after their last mission. The process consists of several stages that include emptying every last drop of highly toxic fluids, fuels and oils, such as hydrozine, present within the miles of cables and hoses in the intestines of each ship. In addition to removing the main engines.
The images in the photo gallery that we have created for the occasion show theDiscovery at the time his orbital maneuvering system (OMS) had been removed, temporarily leaving a strange hole in the nose of the device. The OMS will be sent to the White Sands Test Facility, in New Mexico, where it will be completely cleaned to be reinstalled inside the ferry, which will be like new.
Discovery, meanwhile, will go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.Endeavour will go to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, andAtlantis, the “last of the Mohicans,” will remain at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The orbiters will not be exhibited before the end of 2012 since, in addition to their preparation, the museums must construct or equip buildings to house thenew treasures from the history of space aeronautics.
Text and photos: Ángela Posada-Swafford
