After years of planning, preparation and anticipation, Space Shuttle Enterprise has completed the historic journey to her new home on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum! 

The final step of Enterprise’s journey to the Intrepid began on Friday, June 1 when Enterprise was rolled from its location under a protective de-icing tent to a near-water location at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.  The following day, Enterprise was lifted by crane and placed onto a Weeks Marine barge that would ferry it to the Intrepid Museum in a few short days.

On Sunday, June 3, the barge carrying Enterprise departed JFK, towed by a Weeks Marine tugboat, and traveled a scenic route along the shore of Queens and Brooklyn, passing the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Coney Island, and traveling under the Verrazano Bridge before docking at Weeks Marine in Port Elizabeth, NJ, where it would remain for two nights to undergo final preparations.

Cheering crowds lined the west side of Manhattan on Wednesday, June 6th as Enterprise made a grand entrance as she traveled  up the Hudson River, past the Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center site, and finally arrived at the Intrepid to begin the process of craning the shuttle onto the ship.  Nearly five hours later, NASA’s original prototype orbiter, the Space Shuttle Enterprise, was successfully placed onto Intrepid’s flight deck facing the Hudson River.

Following the arrival, Intrepid operations teams immediately began work on the climate-controlled pavilion that would house and protect Enterprise.  On Wednesday, June 20, the 180’ x 90’ pavilion was inflated, standing 60’ high, with an additional 50’x 60’vestibule that stands 20’ high to accommodate an indoor queuing area for visitors.  

The Intrepid's new Space Shuttle Pavilion is set to open to the public on July 19, kicking off a 3-day "SpaceFest" at the museum complete with a vast array of space-themed activities and displays on the pier.  Check our website or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for the latest updates on the exciting new exhibit!