Last Goodbye to Space Shuttle Discovery

Today was the last time Space Shuttle Discovery will fly. As a sendoff to Discovery and the Shuttle program, the Shuttle was loaded onto its carrier 747 jet and made the final trip from Kennedy Space Center to its final resting place at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (National Air and Space Museum Annex).  The shuttle made several low passes over the DC metro area, where viewers could watch it in the air for the last time.

As soon as I heard about the plans for this last week, I immediately arranged access to the roof of a building in the area.  My father, who owns a window cleaning company, was able to coordinate getting me on top of a building in Crystal City.  Turns out the building had an awesome view of DC and I was able to get some great photos.

A full gallery with more photos and prints is available here: photos.maxwellkruger.com/Airplanes/Discovery-Flyover/.

Bonus: Here is a first clip from Ian’s video footage, who was also on the roof with me.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 400 mm, 1/4000, f/4, ISO 200)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 800 mm, 1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 200)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 400 mm, 1/6400, f/4, ISO 200)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 400 mm, 1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 200)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 70 mm, 1/8000, f/2.8, ISO 200)

(Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 200 mm, 1/5000, f/2.8, ISO 200)

More photos and behind the scenes after the jump.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 200 mm, 1/6400, f/2.8, ISO 200)

One of the T-38’s that was following Discovery.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 400 mm, 1/8000, f/6.3, ISO 200)

Everyone went outside at the ATC tower at Reagan National Airport.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, 400 mm, 1/1600, f/4, ISO 200)

Gravelly Point Park was packed.

(Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 200 mm, 1/4000, f/2.8, ISO 200)

A little behind-the-scenes action:

(iPhone 4S, 4.28 mm, 1/4600, f/2.4, ISO 64)