FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Space Shuttle Discovery will make its final landing in Fairfax County on April 17.
Discovery will take off — positioned on the back of a modified Boeing 747 jet from Kennedy Space Center in Florida — in the early hours of April 17 bound for Dulles International Airport and is expected to arrive during the mid-morning hours, according to Fairfax County officials.
Fairfax County officials said the spacecraft’s landing will not be visible, but they have invited residents to come and watch the orbiter approach from the historic Sully Historic Site located off Va. 28 in Chantilly. They are also exploring ways to televise the landing live from the airport. There’s a $10 cover charged for admission to the park, which includes a tour of the historic home Northern Virginia’s first congressman, Richard Bland Lee.
Discovery flew 39 missions, beginning in 1984 until March 2011. It twice flew NASA’s “return to flight” missions in 1988 and 2006, following the Challenger and Columbia disasters in 1986 and in 2003, respectively.
Discovery also deployed the famed Hubble Telescope, which since 1990 has beamed back to earth fascinating images of the cosmos.
Once in Fairfax County, the shuttle will be on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center. The space shuttle program’s test orbiter, Enterprise, has been on display at the Air and Space center, but Enterprise will now be on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.
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Looking for a cozy way to spend your morning? Join the Cup of Cozy Mysteries book discussion at Vita Nova Creatives & Coffee in Nokesville on Tuesday, January 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. This month’s featured book is Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge.
Enjoy tasty treats while chatting about this delightful, cozy mystery at 13051 Fitzwater Drive. Need the book? Stop by Nokesville Library to grab a copy, or check out the e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla. Questions? Email [email protected].
Have a great local event coming up? Share it with the community for free! Submit your event quickly and easily using this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
