What types of wear and tear are most visible on or inside the shuttle?

Are there any opportunities for visitors to go inside Discovery?

I'd love to hear one fact that you find interesting and is not well known about Discovery?

Thanks for doing this.

Could you explain the details of a "Smithsonian quality" restoration? Someone once told me that if a vehicle was "Smithsonian quality" it was so well preserved that it could be put back into use. Obviously, I'm skeptical. Thank you!

What's your academic background like to wind up as a curator for such an interesting piece of history?

Is there a specific long-term goal for preservation of something like a shuttle? Like, do you say 'we're going to make this last for at least 1,000 years' or do you just go day-by-day?

When designing the exhibit at Udvar-Hazy were there ever any plans to build a catwalk out over the orbiter? I've been to see it probably four times since its installation, and while the underside is always inspiring and awesome, alternative angles would be awesome. Thanks!

Is there any difficulty surrounding keeping the shuttle on the inflated wheels like that?

I've seen other aircraft on jacks to avoid constant pressure on the aging tires.

I understand that many Naval vessels that are kept in restoration, or as part of museum displays, are on loan from the Dept of the Navy and kept in operational or semi-operational status so that they can be returned to service or used for parts. Is there a similar arrangement with Discovery? Has there been any requests to reuse equipment from Discovery?

Is there a problem with people trying to take "souvenirs" off the shuttle?

Also, what was the biggest hurtle in getting the Shuttle to the museum?

Thanks for sharing!

Given the focus of Discovery's 30th anniversary, how much of the orbiter can be traced back to its maiden mission? For example, did NASA, in transferring Discovery to the Smithsonian, provide the flight records for each of the tiles on the orbiter's underbelly?

And speaking of original components, is it known where today are Discovery's original flight deck meters and gauges that were replaced in 2005 by the glass cockpit upgrades?

What type of restoration and upkeep needs to be done regularly on such a complex piece? How much of it is a learn as you go process?

I remember the second time I visited the museum I brought my brother-in-law from Korea. I pointed at the shuttle and said "that's a real space ship". Somebody in the crowd started to correct me "no that's a Space Shuuu...oh yeah, that is a space ship!" and I started to hear that word echo around the crowd "space ship" "space ship" as various people started to make the connection that space shuttle = space ship!

It took another 15-20 minutes of looking around the vehicle before my brother-in-law was convinced it wasn't just a 1:1 model of a shuttle and that it was in fact real. He was convinced it was just a prop, you couldn't possibly have the real thing there, but finally took my word for it in the end. (I still think he wasn't entirely convinced)

Does this kind of disconnect from the artifacts and what they actually are seem to be a barrier to your work and to getting wider awareness out to the public?

I also heard a rumor that some parts were cannibalized from the Discovery for other shuttles before the program was finally shut down. Is that true?

When the transfer originally happened, Discovery's payload bay doors were "locked for the final time", since they're not intended to open without assistance in earth's gravity, and the hinges are simply not strong enough to handle the weight of the doors when not orbiting the earth.

Did anything cool get locked up in the payload bay, as sort of a time capsule, since it's essentially going to be inaccessible for a good long time?

Are there any minor design variations between Discovery and the other Shuttles that aren't generally known about?

What do you think the most interesting mission Discovery ever took part in? I recently visited your museum and absolutely loved the entire place!

What is your daily job like as curator of the shuttle? What was your favorite moment, and weirdest experience on the job?

Hi. I'm the moderator of /r/museumpros and we love seeing museums do AMAs! My fellow mod and I were looking to do some academic research on how museums use reddit. Would you be willing to participate at a future point? Thank you very much for your time.

Former Kennedy Space Center worker here. Was assigned to Discovery for several years. Just wanted to say thank you for taking such good care of her there at Udvar Hazy. Happy she's in good hands!

Does curating involve keeping it in working condition? I don't expect it to go back into space but it would be really neat if the computers and support systems were kept operational. That's some historically important technology (as I'm sure you're very well aware).

Edit: I can spell.

What advice would you have to someone hoping to peruse a career in museum curation, specifically with regards to space history?

Ideally, what would you love to have in the museum one day?

The picture you posted shows how big the Discovery is - something I probably still underestimate. What do you find most impressive about this craft?

Hi. I was lucky enough to see Discovery less than two weeks after it arrived. It sure was impressive. But that day there was a grand piano set up behind the shuttle, directly under the main engines, and some kids were playing around on it. Was it just left over from a special event? If not, it has my vote for the most unusual place for a public piano.

One of the major premises used to justify the creation of the Space Transportation System was reusability, which was supposed to lead to cost savings over expendable systems. What were some of the factors that prevented these savings from being realized?

Thanks for doing this AMA.

The current display has the bay doors of the orbiter closed. Do you have any plans to open them in the future? Or would the lack of overhead access for the public make that a less than impressive display? Thanks again.

I recently visited Udvar-Hazy, and I'm also a former shuttle program engineer. I recognize that maintaining the integrity of Discovery was a priority, but so much of the really interesting technology of the shuttle is hidden in the current configuration. The lack of catwalks allowing viewers to approach the control surfaces, or to look into the flight deck, seemed like a missed opportunity. Also, lines of sight from several nearby walkways were obstructed by kites and other ceiling-hung items.

Are there any plans to expand viewing of the vehicle with catwalks, cutaways, etc? What about opening the cargo bay? What are the pros and cons?

Great museum, incidentally. Overwhelming.

Did Discovery require a lot of restoration after it was handed to you by NASA? What were the greatest challenges you faced when doing said restoration?

Many thanks for doing this!

As I recall from my last visit to the Air & Space Museum, it was fairly crowded with exhibits. Which exhibits were removed to make room for Discovery?

Hello! I'm a huge fan of the Udvar Hazy Center and of Discovery! Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I don't actually have a question, but I wanted you to know that the museum along with a night launch of Discovery that I saw in December 1999 inspired me to get into the aerospace industry. I used to find museum staff at your facility and the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island and talk their ears off when I was younger, and I never found a single person that didn't listen.

I have a Masters degrees in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering partially because of the inspiration and kindness that people like you gave me. And I always want to take the time and say thank you to curators whenever I can.

I guess I should ask a question after that block of text, ha! Alright, I love that the shuttle is so dirty from its last mission. It really shows that space isn't this shiny, hermedic thing. Do you agree with that idea?

What do you think about the decision to not send a shuttle to Houston?

Our city was very disappointed that, after decades of dedication to the shuttle missions, we didn't receive a shuttle.

My Family and I visited both Air and Space facilities last June and loved it. The Udvar-Hazy Center was incredible and the shuttle was defiantly a highlight!

I have a somewhat selfish question not about the shuttle but about contacting other curators or accessing the museums photographs. You see just my Father flew the Ford Tri-motor on display at the DC museum around the country during a promotional tour for American Airlines just prior to it being donated. Here is a picture of him on the captain’s seat in which you may notice the pilot and copilot’s names are displayed on the bulkhead. This was customary on AA planes for many years to come. He always claimed since he was one of the last to pilot her that his nameplate remains in the plane as it now hangs in the museum.

I would love to photo this but though I tried with a telephoto lens the position of the planes prevents such a photo. Then I noticed the life size model depicting part of the Ford’s cabin, in which a photo of the cockpit bulkhead was used. What I want to know is how can someone get copies of photos the curators might have taken before suspending the plane from the ceiling? I poured over all potential books at the museum store but few pictures exist. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

This may sound like a silly question, but I promise you it's serious, and since I won't be heading to the Smithsonian any time soon to find out for myself, I'd really like to know: does the shuttle have a distinctive smell?

You read all sorts of things about the smell of space, with some accounts likening it to gun powder or steak or strawberries. I can't help but be curious what, if anything, this vehicle smells like after having spent a cumulative year in space.

Thanks for doing this!

How did you become a curator at the Smithsonian? Growing up and visiting while at my grandparents, I've always thought a job at the Smithsonian would be one of the greatest things to do as a career. How exactly does one work at the Smithsonian?

Thank you in advance by the way.

I've been to see the Endeavour at the California ScienCenter - do you know if there are any major differences in the presentation, quality, or civilian access to the Discovery compared to the Endeavour? I live in DC now and have been meaning to make a trip out to Udvar-Hazy sometime soon.

Thanks for taking the time!

Thank you for answering our questions!

I recently read NASA's The Shuttle Decision, and I was struck by the technical support for other shuttle designs, particularly Max Faget's smaller, straight-winged design. While his design was obviously not politically tenable (due to not gaining the Air Force's support by including a long enough payload bay and enough cross-range capacity), do you think an alternate design like his would have incurred the same problems in safety and price that ended up marring the Shuttle's tenure as the US's manned launch vehicle?

Were their any "presents" left behind in Discovery after its final mission, like the flight engineer's cap inserted into the expansion gap in Concorde during its final flight?

Just moving to the Baltimore/ DC area and the Smithsonian is high on my list of places to come visit. Besides the must see Discovery exhibit, what other exhibits do you, especially as a professional curatotlr, feel are must see, not only at the Air and Space Museum but throughout the Smithsonian? What do you look for in a must see exhibit?

How do you recommend that parents/ teachers prepare primary school age children for a visit, so they can get the most out of it?

Hey! I dunno if I'm too late to the party, but here's my question...

What are the seismic provisions necessary for keeping the shuttle stable? Did the hanger need to be modified much?

Did you run into traffic when transporting it or did it go through the roads mostly at night? If so, where did you keep it during the day?

Does the Smithsonian plan to highlight more of Discovery's missions in the future at the exhibit?

Do you personally think NASA will ever use a comparable craft again? Or is the concept of a vertical launching, horizontal landing plane outdated?

Why do the white panels on the shuttle appear discolored?

Do you have a favorite Discovery mission, or one that you think was particularly interesting/significant? Are there any missions that will be highlighted as part of the exhibit?

I went to space camp as a kid and remember that after a demenstration of the reentry tiles mounted all over the shuttle we were told not to touch the tiles because the fibers could harm us get in our eyes and lungs. How does that make keeping Discovery clean while on display?

Why didn't Houston get a real shuttle?

No question, really, I just wanted to say that I'm glad Discovery found a good home. My wife and son (who was three at the time and obsessed with space shuttles) and I got to watch Discovery go up on STS-119 a few years back. As someone who grew up in the '80s, when every kid wanted to be an astronaut so they could fly on the space shuttle, it was a dream come true. I was wondering just the other day where Discovery had ended up after the program ended. Now that I know she's at the Smithsonian, I may have to plan a road trip sometime soon.

As a local DC resident, and lifelong lover of all things air and space - how could i potentially have the opportunity to gain access to the inside of Discovery without having to B&E?

What is your opinion on the retirement of the shuttle program and the future of NASA and private space corporations?

Thanks for answering our questions!

How much help has NASA been in providing information for ongoing preservation? Is it more of a joint effort to create a good cleaning and preservation routine or did NASA already have specifications that they passed along to your institution?

What are your thoughts on Johnson Space Center not receiving an actual space shuttle to display when JSC was key to the program's success?

I've heard that NASA pulled the RS-25 engines (also known as the "Space Shuttle Main Engine") from all of the shuttles before their donation, for use on the SLS rockets that may be flying in the future. Are there any plans to obtain at least a couple of these engines for historic preservation purposes (especially the reusable variant actually used on the Shuttles), and if somehow they were made available, would they be restored into their original positions in Discovery or would they be displayed separately?

Note: I'm not going to get into the politics of the SLS here, I'm just asking about Smithsonian efforts to maintain this important part of aviation history, even if these engines end up getting discarded into the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for what lawmakers think is a worthy cause.

Short question: How do you and the restoration staff replace damaged or missing parts on Discovery while maintaining the flown 'wear and tear' of the overall spacecraft? E.G., a factory replacement component would immediately contrast with parts of the craft that have obviously flown in space.

Thanks for the AMA, looking forward to reading the replies to all the questions!

could the shuttle ever be put back into service or has it been permanently put beyond use

What is the best location to get lunch near the Air and Space Museum?

How was Space Shuttle Discovery chosen for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, and not Endeavor or Atlantis?

I recently moved to the DC area and the first time I stepped out of my car in Virginia was in your parking lot to see the Discovery. I'm a huge advocate of our space program and obsessed with the shuttles (I have the Challenger and Columbia tattooed on me). The presentation of Discovery is fantastic.

Are there ever any opportunities for the public to tour the inside of Discovery?

How do you feel about the Udvar-Hazy effectively circumventing Smithsonian's mandate to offer free entry by requiring payment for parking or a shuttle bus and making the entrance where visitors pay so far from the entrance that drop-offs are not a realistic option for many?

In a related topic, what is your opinion on the significant overall commercialization of the Smithsonian over the past years? Sale of collection rights? Gift shops in every corner?

I know that Enterprise used to be in DC but was moved to NYC and Discovery took its place.

Why didn't Discovery just go to NYC instead?

Don't really have a question, but wanted to let you know that the Dulles Air & Space Museum is particularly important to me. When we were down visiting friends we got to spend the last hour before closing running around and seeing everything. At the end when we were going to the car he took me over to the statue and proposed. To this day I tell people the best way to a girl's heart is with space shuttles and fighter jets!

Wait! I do have a question- We took our daughters there not long ago and the toddler tried to sneak into the exhibit. She was enthralled with seeing a big version of one of her toys. Have you ever had a problem with someone getting into the exhibit and messing with something?

The view of shuttle from the 2nd floor balcony is partially blocked by one of those signs on aluminum polls and a white canvas object (glider?). Could those be moved a little.

Are there any plans to create an online 3D experience, so us office jockeys can explore it as well? :)

I live very close! Are there any events surrounding the Discovery anniversary this weekend?

Does a preservation like with Discovery have a finite lifetime, or could the spacecraft be expected to survive for centuries in its current state?

Hey I know it is late but I work in fundraising and am really interested in everything you folks do. How do you folks use the Discovery (and other major attractions) in events and fundraisers?

Howdy Ms. Neal, off topic but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing with me how you became a museum curator, especially for Smithsonian. I'm in college and am a history major and am considering museum work as a possible career.

One great thing NASA does at their visitor center is have a visiting astronaut come and speak and even have a little time for a photo session with the public.

Would you be interested in having a similar program for astronauts who operated Discovery specifically? Since it has a 30 year history, I'm sure you would never run out of astronauts for meet and greets!

How will Discovery celebrate the 30th anniversary of her first launch? Any special plans at the museum on Saturday, or if not, how might Discovery describe her day if she could share her experience being on exhibit at the Udvar-Hazy?

How did you get the job?

How did you become a curator? What was your career progression like? Any advice for someone who wants to follow a similar path?

I'm trying to get my friends to meet me up there at the Air and Space Museum, what can I entice them with for exhibits, events or simple things to do?

Thank you for doing the AMA!

Do you mind proving a brief explanation of your background and how you came to be the curator of the Space Shuttle Discovery? I find it motivating to hear about how women have accomplished such success, especially in male dominated fields.

A hypothetical..

If engineers had do, in an emergency situation we couldn't imagine, could they get it to work again and be flight ready? (also, what other things, fuel tanks, structures, etc.. would be needed and how fast could it be done?)

Would it just be cheaper and easier to build something with the same capabilities from scratch?

Was it still safe with the wear and tear on the exterior tiles? It just looks unsafe to me.

Just how angry do you get at the folks who claim that we've never been to the moon?

How often do you sneak into the cockpit and pretend you're in space?

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!

I would like to know what you have to do to maintain the Discovery while it is sitting - does it need to be serviced in any way?

How much time do restoration specialists have to spend keeping it looking good in a year?

Are there programs for young kids interested in the Discovery? (seeing inside of it, other events)

Also, thanks for doing this! It's really awesome.

Greetings from Downey, California - is there anything on the shuttle that shows "Made in Downey"? I know that our city was involved with the Columbia and Apollo Missions.

The only shuttle I saw launch. Tell it I said hello!

Did you have specialized expertise with the shuttle program that led to this job? Or were you taught/trained about it once it was already decided that you would be the curator?

As the curator, do you get to wander around the shuttle whenever you want?

What made you pursue this specific line of work? The work of NASA is very inspirational to me, it makes me think that if I put my mind to it, anything is possible.

i just wanted to know if this is what you wanted to do since you were a 5 year old.

Why are you guys not as good as the Atlantis exhibit at KSC?

I am disappointed that as curator, someone that should know better, you call it the 'Space Shuttle' Discovery. Unless it is attached to the o2 tank and SRBs, then it is the 'Orbiter' Discovery. How do you of all people get this wrong?