2012: The year that shipped out the space shuttles

The photography highlight throughout 2012 was the delivery of the space shuttle orbiters to their final resting places, and Spaceflight Now's team captured some remarkable shots along the way. Here's our favorite shots from the past year of Discovery going to the Smithsonian, Endeavour heading west to Los Angeles and Atlantis transferring to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

See our coverage of Discovery's final mission, flyout of Endeavour and Atlantis' retirement.

Photo credit: Spaceflight Now

Shuttle Atlantis is pictured here in the midst of decommissioning activities.
CREDIT: JUSTIN RAY

Discovery soars over Washington en route to the Smithsonian annex in Northern Virginia.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

A crane contraption works to remove Discovery from atop the 747 at Dulles International Airport.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

This poignant image was taken during Discovery's induction ceremony into the Smithsonian's archive.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Shuttle Discovery, the most-flown reusable spaceship in history, arrives inside the Smithsonian.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

For one of the final moments in history, the flight deck of shuttle Endeavour is powered up.
CREDIT: BEN COOPER
See larger image

Shuttles Endeavour (left) and Atlantis (right) shuffle places at Kennedy Space Center in the program's final months.
CREDIT: JUSTIN RAY
See larger image

Endeavour vacates the lone shuttle hangar for ferry to LA while Atlantis resumes museum preps.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

As view from the roof hatch of the 747, Endeavour sits perched atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Shuttle Endeavour departs from Kennedy Space Center forever.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Shuttle Endeavour makes a pass over the Texas Capitol in Austin.
CREDIT: STEPHEN CLARK

The aviation marvel of transporting a spaceship atop a modified 747 aircraft.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

The ferryflight duo parked at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Sunset in the Mojave Desert as Endeavour's ferry makes an overnight stop.
CREDIT: JUSTIN RAY
See larger image

A silhouette of the iconic Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and orbiter combination.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

The final leg of the final space shuttle ferryflight leaves Edwards Air Force Base.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Arriving into her new city of Los Angeles, Endeavour passes over the Hollywood sign.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

From a helicopter hovering overhead, Endeavour makes her way through Los Angeles.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Crowds flock to catch a glimpse of the spacecraft moving toward the California Science Center.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Endeavour's surreal voyage through the City of Angels goes by a Macy's department store.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Atlantis begins her journey to depart the operational confines of Kennedy Space Center.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image

Fireworks punctuate Atlantis' delivery at the new exhibit hall being constructed to display the craft.
CREDIT: WALTER SCRIPTUNAS II
See larger image