The incredible machine that is the space shuttle has been the central feature in America's space program for the past three decades. But as forced retirement looms, the orbiters are flying their final missions before becoming museum pieces. Spaceflight Now had the rare treat to visit shuttle Discovery at launch pad 39A and create this photographic collection of the venerable spaceplane.

Spaceflight Now photos by Ben Cooper and Justin Ray

Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Ben Cooper/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now   Photo credit: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now