Space Shuttle Enterprise Makes Final Trip To The Intrepid
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The space shuttle Enterprise has finished its journey to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Huge crowds gathered across the city to watch as the shuttle made its way up the Hudson River on a barge after leaving from Jersey City Wednesday morning.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
Podcast
"It's a piece of history to think where that has been and now here it is and we have a chance to see it," said Renee Waites from Mississippi.
It passed by the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center site and a few hours later, was lifted, via crane, onto the flight deck of the Intrepid.
PHOTOS: Enterprise Floats To Intrepid | Enterprise Prepares For Barge Transfer
The much-anticipated final trip is a culmination of an awe-inspiring journey that began at Dulles Airport in April. The shuttle was hitched onto the back of a 747 and flown to New York City, where it passed over city landmarks for nearly an hour before landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney: Crowds Thrilled At Liberty State Park
Podcast
Over the weekend, a gust of wind caused the Enterprise's wingtip to hit wood bumpers, but luckily, it only suffered minor damage.
The wing tip was quickly patched back up and the Enterprise is all ready to make its museum debut.
"It's about time something from space came to the New York area," said Michael Laterza of Scarsdale.
While the Enterprise never launched into orbit, it was used as a test spacecraft and now it will be used to educate the public about the glory of space.
"We used to have thousands in the shuttle program. Now we have hundreds," said Stephanie Stilson from NASA. "We're just fortunate to be there to the very end."
For more information, visit www.intrepidmuseum.org.
