SHUTTLE ENTERPRISE GOES HOME
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanAmericans are proud of the NASA Space Program and all of its accomplishments. While the Book of Space Travel is finished for now, we are not soon to forget all that has gone into the success of the Space Program.
New York City will finally become the home to the Space Shuttle Enterprise (a test craft but authentic still the same). The journey was a complicated one and had to be plotted out extremely carefully. The place of origin was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. Place of destination is the flight deck of the USS Intrepid Museum in New York City.
The trip was carefully orchestrated. The Enterprise was flown from Virginia to New York City on the back of a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and landed safely at JFK International Airport with a big welcome from politicians and dignitaries. There it went by barge to New Jersey sustaining a slight bit of damage along the way to the wing tip which will be repaired prior to going on display for the public to view.
Today, June 6th, as curious and thrilled onlookers kept a steady and watchful eye on the barge, the spacecraft was transported along the Hudson River bound for Manhattan’s West Side. As a police boat and yellow water taxi traveled by its side, patriotism was at its finest as the barge cruised by the Statue of Liberty with the new World Trade Center visible along the city skyline.
The crowd increased as the Enterprise arrived at its new home and was hoisted by a 500-ton crane onto the USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on the Hudson River.
Spirits could not be dampened by the dismal weather which had already delayed the transport by a day. This is what America stands for — freedom, determination and allegiance. The exhibit will be open to the public beginning on July 19th in a temporary climate-controlled pavilion. This will be temporary housing while a more permanent facility is being prepared. Make sure you put it on your list to visit next time you are in New York City.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images and Reuters
