NASA Space Shuttle Auctions

[Speedbird1]

This is sad news for the aviation museums expecting to get an actual space shuttle to display, I heard that instead of donating the old shuttles to museums, NASA plans to auction them-off to the highest bidder. Things must be really tight if they need money so badly. Hopefully, museums could enter the auctions. No date was given for those auctions but would have to be after they are retired. I know that the Intrepid Museum wanted to acquire a space shuttle.

[moose135]

They always planned to "sell" them to a museum - what they recently did was drop the price from $42 million to $28 million each. They aren't simply going to the "highest bidder" - that amount is NASA's estimate on what it will cost to transport the shuttle and prepare and maintain a suitable display for it. NASA has specific conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the right to obtain one. Discovery has already been promised to the National Air & Space Museum, and Enterprise will be available for another museum. In addition, I've heard that the USAF Museum at Wright-Patt is expected to get one as well.

Given the amount the Intrepid spent on their recent renovations, I doubt they would have the money available to build and maintain a display facility for a shuttle - it must be an indoors, climate-controlled facility - and I don't know if they would even have the room for it.

[T-Bird76]

deal-news-offering-32-off-the-space-shuttles-t18142.html-st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=deal+news

Use the search function....

[hiss srq]

Maybe NASA should use the funds to protect their IT infastructure a little better. :lol:

[Speedbird1]

I did use the search function and it said 0 matches for space shuttle auction. Sorry if I postings offend you.

[Speedbird1]

You are right. The Intrepid Museum would have no room for a space shuttle. The Concorde takes-up lots of space on the pier and there is no interior space for the shuttle. They did start a petition, which I signed, asking to get a shuttle for display. They probably thought the craft would be donated as they already are in big debt due to the recent restorations. Incidentally, doesn't the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum already have The Enterprise shuttle on display? Why do they need another?

[Derf]

AS Moose already said, the Enterprise will be made available for a DIFFERENT Museum. They will not keep 2.

[Speedbird1]

Sadly, then NYC will not get a shuttle to exhibit. The Intrepid Museum was circulating a petition to get a shuttle but that was for naught. Too bad we can't charter a bus one day and visit the Air & Space Museum. I've been to the one on the Mall but not to the bigger annex next to IAD.

[Derf]

there is always a train to DC, no?

[PhilDernerJr]

Given the amount the Intrepid spent on their recent renovations, I doubt they would have the money available to build and maintain a display facility for a shuttle - it must be an indoors, climate-controlled facility - and I don't know if they would even have the room for it.

Don't speak too soon... ;)

[T-Bird76]

there is always a train to DC, no?

Fred I'm sure you'd be more then willing to give Speedbird a ride down there ;)

Oh there's also a bus to DC. I forgot what they're called but its rather cheap to get down there.

[Speedbird1]

There's even a air shuttle flight down to DC but let's face t, it is a hassle to stay overnight, hotel costs, taxi costs, etc. A MetroCard ride to the Intrepid would be more convenient, yes? Incidentally, there's a shuttle on exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center, too. I've seen it personally. The Intrepid Museum sent me a message yesterday saying they are still going-after a shuttle for exhibit.

[PhilDernerJr]

The shuttle at the Intrepid would be amazing. Concorde, Blackbird, Shuttle.

[Derf]

The shuttle at the Intrepid would be amazing. Concorde, Blackbird, Shuttle.

What the Hell Phil..... YOU LEFT OUT THE TOMCAT!!!! If we are talking amazing birds...do not disrespect! lol

[PhilDernerJr]

One of my favorite fighters, but not in the same league as the three I mentioned...each of which incredibly ground-breaking. My opinion at least.