NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (at podium), a former Discovery commander himself, addresses the audience of invited guests and the general public at the shuttle's Smithsonian transfer ceremony.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (center) and National Air and Space Museum director Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey (at right) signed the document transferring Discovery to the Smithsonian. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and former astronaut and Senator John Glenn served as the witnesses to the signing.

After the ceremony was complete, Discovery was towed into the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center's McDonnell Space Hangar to become its centerpiece attraction.