As an aside, I would highly recommend making a trip out to see Discovery if you are ever in the DC area (the Udvar Hazy Center is just a few minutes' drive from

As an aside, I would highly recommend making a trip out to see Discovery if you are ever in the DC area (the Udvar Hazy Center is just a few minutes' drive from Dulles airport). They let you get remarkably close to the shuttle (close enough to touch, although you shouldn't do so). Also, they chose not to clean her up very much when they installed her (as is somewhat evident in the linked photos). As a result she retains all of her scars from usage and re-entry, which I think makes her feel both much more real and fantastical.