... was the first to go into space, but it was not the first Space Shuttle. That honour went to the Enterprise, which was not intended to go into space (it had no engines or heat shield). It made its first test flight in 1977 and flew three "orbital missions" in 1981, before being retired later that year. It then went on a world tour, visiting the UK among other countries.
In 2003, the Enterprise was restored and placed on display at the Smithsonian Institution's new Steven F. Udvar–Hazy Center in Virginia. Following the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, it was transferred to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where it has been on display since July 2012. Its place at the Udvar–Hazy Center was taken by the Discovery.
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