Shuttle's final salute caps off 30 years of Discovery (51 images)

The Space Shuttle Discovery atop the NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Bowing 747, flies past the United States Capitol on its way to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Virginia annex for its permanent display on April 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. The shuttle flew over the Nation's Capital at 1500 feet offering a great view for residents and tourists before landing at Dulles International Airport. UPI/NASA/Smithsonian/Harold Dorwin

The Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a Boeing 747, makes a pass over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol along The Mall, Washington, DC, as it makes its way to Dulles International Airport, where it will be taken for retirement to the Smithsonian Museum's Udar-Hazy Center, April 17, 2012. UPI/Mike Theiler

Space Shuttle Discovery, riding atop NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft, does a flyby of Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia on April 17, 2012. Discovery, which ended it's last mission on March 9, 2011, is being put on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space MuseumÍs Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantily, Virginia. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

Residents and tourists get a good view at the Lincoln Memorial of the the Space Shuttle Discovery atop the NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Bowing 747, as it flies low over the Nation's Capital on its way to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Virginia annex for its permanent display on April 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. The shuttle flew over the Nation's Capital at 1500 feet offering a great view for residents and tourists before landing at Dulles International Airport. UPI/Pat Benic