Space Shuttles Up For Grabs

[HURAKAN]

Space Shuttles Up For Grabs
Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

Dec. 18, 2008 -- NASA's soon-to-be-retired space shuttles are up for grabs.

The space agency said Wednesday it's looking for ideas on where and how best to display its space shuttles once they stop flying in a few years. It's put out a call to schools, science museums and "other appropriate organizations" that might be interested in showcasing one of the three remaining shuttles.

Beware: NASA estimates it will cost about $42 million to get each shuttle ready and get it where it needs to go, and the final tab could end up much more.

The estimate includes $6 million to ferry the spaceship atop a modified jumbo jet to the closest major airport. But the price could skyrocket depending on how far the display site is from the airport. Only indoor, climate-controlled displays will be considered.

"The orbiters will not be disassembled for transportation or storage," NASA insists in its nine-page request for information.

One space shuttle appears headed to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. The remaining two would be placed in storage at Kennedy Space Center until their final homes are decided.

If a space shuttle is too pricey, NASA is offering some of its shuttle main engines for anywhere between $400,000 and $800,000, not counting shipping costs.

The space shuttles, so you know, will not come with any main engines.

NASA plans to retire Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour by Sept. 30, 2010, in keeping with President George Bush's initiative calling for a return by astronauts to the moon by 2020. A transition team set up by President-elect Barack Obama is reviewing all the options, however, including the possibility of keeping the shuttles flying beyond 2010.

If that happens, then all space shuttle deals are off.

[RL3AO]

I don't know how they can end the program in 2010. Ares or Orion of whatever is replacing the Space Shuttle won't be ready until well after 2010. I don't think the Russians have anything that can give the ISS the boost into a higher orbit that the Space Shuttle can.

[Jason Foster]

I think it would be cool if they could launch it unmanned, loaded up with all kinds of fun satellites and such, and send it off into deep space. Maybe make it a huge time like capsule for some alien race to find millions of years from now!