Space shuttle Enterprise to depart D.C. Friday

WASHINGTON – The space shuttle Enterprise is scheduled to depart Dulles International Airport Friday morning and make its trip to a new home in New York City.

The shuttle is attached to a modified NASA 747 and has been parked on “Apron W” near the center of the Dulles airfield for several days, say airport officials.

There is currently a view of the shuttle from the top of Daily Garage 2 at the airport.

NASA says the shuttle is scheduled to leave between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Airport officials recommend people arrive before 9:30 a.m. to view the departure of Enterprise. They are recommending viewing from Daily Garage 1 and 2, where regular parking rates will apply.

Dulles Airport will be providing real-time updates using the Twitter handle @DCAirport.

The shuttle will land at JFK International Airport after making a low-altitude flyover of various parts of the New York City metropolitan area Friday. The aircraft is expected to fly near a variety of landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty.

Once in New York, the shuttle will be placed on a barge that will move by tugboat up the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

The shuttle will be displayed on the flight deck of the Intrepid, where it will be on exhibit to the public in mid-July.

WTOP’s Meera Pal contributed to this story. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 WTOP and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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