As the NASA's space-shuttle program is all set to coming to a close this year following more than more than 30 years of operations, the Seattle-based Museum of Flight is eagerly waiting for announcement of where retiring space shuttles will be put on show.

Today (Tuesday) marks the 50th anniversary of man’s first manned flight into space and the 30th anniversary of the first space shuttle launch.

Speaking on the 50th anniversary of man’s first journey into space, American astronaut Ronald Garan Jr., who arrived at the International Space Station last week said, “We’re going to spend the day recognizing it in probably the best place you possibly can, that’s on orbit and looking at our beautiful Earth.”

Meanwhile, NASA administrator Charles Bolden is all set to announce where the existing space shuttles will be put on public display.

Space shuttle Discovery will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. But the decision about the Endeavour and Atlantis is yet to be announced.

The list of Museum of Flight’s contenders includes Florida-based Kennedy Space Center and Houston-based Johnson Space Center.