How about putting this on ebay? ..."Want a Retired Space Shuttle"?

rbdjr1

For the person who thought they had everything!

(Link) ...got an extra 40-50 million?

rd

Want a retired space shuttle?
They're up for grabs
By MARCIA DUNN, AP Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn, Ap Aerospace Writer
Thu Dec 18, 3:24 am ET

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – 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.

Elemenopeo

I've emailed NASA and asked them to take part in the Christmas spam thread. That should put us about where we need to be.

mtcards

Im sure the Chinese would bid on it

Ladder7

No thanks, I'm gonna await the fuel tank auction;

stevek

I'm not getting anywhere near that thing - it might have picked up some mean microorganisms in outer space.

Goot

If I bought it, I wouldn't have to worry about the transportation costs! If only I had a place to put it.......and $40 million.

mtcards

I know this really has nothing to do with this thread, but since I have been curious about how adwords works, I have to mention it. The google ads on this page when I was reading this thread had 4 of 6 about either the Kennedy Space center or shuttle tours. So I guess it isnt important as to the site, but rather the topic. Somebody needs to make a post with the words "boobs" in the title and see what comes up.

rlankhaar

This is really no different than any other ex-military aircraft-you're just paying the costs associated with preparing, moving, and displaying the artifact. The price is just a lot higher due to size and complexity.

Also, this is just a (long-term) loan deal...you're not buying anything. There's less than a half dozen museums in the country that are even being considered for this.