The NASA space shuttle Discovery has recently returned to Earth from the International Space Station for the last time.

The Space Shuttle Discovery is the most flown spaceship and has completed 39 missions and 5,830 orbits of Earth.

After the landing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA Discovery will be kept in a museum.

NASA , National Aeronautics and Space Administration, estimates it will take several months of work before it is ready to be sent to the Smithsonian Institution.

Discovery will make its last 750-mile journey strapped to the top of a jumbo jet.

Soon the whole fleet will be retired as the other of NASA shuttle Endeavour and Atlantis only have two more flights scheduled.

For the time being, until NASA can build a new fleet, American astronauts will have to travel to the International Space Station on Russian Soyuz Rockets.

For your very own encounter with outer space book a Canal Boat Holiday from Union Wharf in Market Harborough and visit the national space centre in Leicester.

Take an interactive journey through six stunning galleries, explore the Universe and experience space at the only visitor attraction solely dedicated to space.

For an out of the world experience take a ride on Nemesis at Alton Towers this ride reaches G-forces greater than a space shuttle launch.

Cruise the four counties ring on your Canal Boat Holiday and you will will pass close to Alton Towers in Staffordshire.