Discovery was the third Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle to fly in space. NASA transferred Discovery to the Smithsonian in April 2012 after a delivery flight over the nation's capital. David Barron is a photographer and computer information systems professional who worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), including five years at the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC). This collection consists of fourteen digital photographs of Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103) mounted atop a Boeing Model 747-100 NASA Shuttle Carrier which is in flight over the Sterling, Virginia area. David Barron took these photographs as Discovery flew over his home on April 17, 2012 on its way to Dulles Airport prior to delivery to the Smithsonian.

Discovery was the third Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle to fly in space. It entered service in 1984 and retired from spaceflight as the oldest and most accomplished orbiter, the champion of the shuttle fleet. Discovery flew on 39 Earth-orbital missions, spent a total of 365 days in space, and traveled almost 240 million kilometers (150 million miles)--more than the other orbiters. It shuttled 184 men and women into space and back, many of whom flew more than once, for a record-setting total crew count of 251. NASA transferred Discovery to the Smithsonian in April 2012 after a delivery flight over the nation's capital. David Barron is a photographer and computer information systems professional who worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), including five years at the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC). Barron received a special commendation for photographic work he performed as part of the Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-99) investigation.