NASA Plans to Sell Retired Space Shuttles
Posted on: Thursday, 18 December 2008, 18:35 CST
For anyone who wants to make collecting space shuttles a hobby, and has the extra cash, NASA's soon-to-be-retired space shuttles are about to be up for grabs.
On Wednesday, NASA said that they are looking for ideas on where and how to best display their shuttles once they stop flying in a few years. Calls were placed to schools, science museums and "other appropriate organizations" that might be interested in showcasing one of the three remaining shuttles.
The cost will be about $42 million, which includes getting the shuttle ready and a $6 million ferry ride atop a modified jumbo jet, to get the space shuttle to the closest major airport. The price could even be higher, depending on how far the display site is from the airport. NASA is only considering indoor, climate-controlled displays.
"The orbiters will not be disassembled for transportation or storage," NASA insists in its nine-page request for information.
The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington is considering the offer. The remaining two will be stored at Kennedy Space Center until their final homes are decided.
NASA is also offering some of its shuttles main engines also, for those that find the actual shuttle too expensive. The prices for these can go anywhere between $400,000 and $800,000, not including shipping costs.
Space Shuttles Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour are all set to be retired by Sept. 30 2010, according to NASA, in keeping with President George Bush's initiative calling for a return mission to the moon by 2020. President-elect Barack Obama's transitioning team is reviewing all the options, including the possibility of keeping the shuttles flying past 2010.
If that happens, do not expect to bid on any of the space shuttles, because the deal would then be off.
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Source: redOrbit staff and wire reports
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