Utahns will have a chance to see the space shuttle Discovery on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 2 p.m. until dark at the Utah Air National Guard Base, 800 N. 2200 West.
"This is a thrilling opportunity for all people of the state," said Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, who asked NASA to allow the shuttle to land in Salt Lake City. The visit is tied in with Bennett's annual Space-Talk conference, which drew scores of military, industry and NASA experts to Utah State University this week.The shuttle, attached to a 747 jet airplane, is expected to land at Salt Lake International Airport at 2 p.m., and to taxi immediately to the Air National Guard ramp for viewing.
Visitors will be allowed to approach to within 200 feet of Discovery, said Larry Shepherd, spokesman for Bennett. They are "invited to bring photography and video equipment to record the visit."
Open for public tours near the shuttle viewing area will be two NASA trailers with exhibits on the proposed International Space Station, seen recently at Utah State Fair.