NASA likely to give away space shuttles

The space shuttle Discovery touching down at Kennedy Space Center on June 14, 2008. NASA now says it is going to solicit proposals for how to display the shuttles once the program ends in 2010.

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News)

Want your very own authentic space shuttle?

Well, if you're part of the community of "educational institutions, science museums and other appropriate organizations," NASA just might have something for you after the shuttle program ends in 2010.

On Wednesday, the space agency issued a request for information (RFI) soliciting ideas for what to do with the shuttle orbiters and main engines once the program ends.

Sponsored by NASA's Office of Infrastructure, the RFI seeks input from appropriate officials and decision makers from museums, science centers, institutions, and other organizations dedicated to education or educational outreach with experience in public display of space hardware and nationally-recognized historical artifacts," NASA said in a release. NASA will use information gained from this RFI to develop strategies for eventual placement of two space shuttle orbiters and a minimum of six unassembled space shuttle main engine display "kits."

The agency said the purpose of the initiative is to decide whether institutions or other members of the community have the appropriate wherewithal to display a shuttle or engines, including the ability to fund such efforts.

Interested applicants have until March 17, 2009 to respond.

It's probably safe to say, however, that NASA doesn't intend for the recipients of the shuttles to fly them, and as such, probably won't be providing astronauts with the delivery of the spacecraft.

[Jack K1]

One word: e-Bay.

[assman]

What is the shipping cost? This factors into my decision.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I know it's a used vehicle, but can I get a ShuttleFax report on them? :What sort of warranty? 10 year / 10 billion miles bumper to bumper?

[Orion Blastar]

I read the ShuttleFax report, they tend to have O-Ring problems that cause them to blow up sometimes. Sometimes the heat shield tiles come off as well and it burns up in reentry. Buyer beware.

NASA = Needs Another Seven Astronauts.

NASA = Never Admit or Say Anything about UFOs and space aliens.

[gdmaclew]

Very funny Orion.
Would you care to send your comments to the families of Columbia?

[Dalkorian]

Sorry Orion, I do have a sense of humor but I've never found that particular "7 astronauts" joke to be funny in any way. I expect the families of the Columbia and Challenger crews would have trouble with that joke as well.

I can chuckle at "Never Admit or Say Anything" one though.
;-)

[Orion Blastar]

Why pay $42M for a Space Shuttle when for $2M Richard Branson can build you a space ship when he starts to commercialize them. He won the X-Prize and built it for under a million.\

I found the plans for a model 30 TARDIS on the Internet, which will be interesting to build. :)

Commander Spock and his banker friends can afford one of the Shuttles, since it uses 386 CPUs it can run OS/2 2.0 and Excel 1.2 for OS/2 with the IRR/ERR calculations that they need. :)

[icfdude]

Could I get it before Christmas?

[Dalkorian]

Maybe, but Santa won't be responsible for any damage to your home or chimney during delivery.
:-D

[gdmaclew]

Don't look for the Shuttle Program to be ended in 2010 as GWB wanted.
Thye are currently looking at a plan to extend the program past that date and maybe as far as 2015.

[haub123]

All my friends will be jealous when I show them my first car, but I think it's a gas guzzler.

[Dalkorian]

It's one of the few vehicles on this planet that makes my 4X4 truck look like a fuel saver!

[global-warming_is_BS]

Another shortsighted American design. If they had made the wings a little stubbier and the tail a little shorter I would have been able to fit this in my garage. This and its lack of dual airbags have me looking at foreign vehicles instead.

[ksopher]

My homeowners association prohibits the parking of RVs in our driveways. I wonder if the shuttle fall into that category?

[Dalkorian]

I think you could argue that a space vehicle is not an RV. Hope you have a BIG driveway though!

[ferretboy88]

The heat panels in the shuttle worked perfect until they were forced to switch to green materials.

[Stealthdragoon]

I think I would need the shuttlefax report and I would need a chief mechanics opinion on that before I can take the shuttle home with me.

[Shaun822]

Good luck finding the unbiased third party to inspect it for you. I hear NASA has everyone with shuttle know-how on the payroll.

[sgo7]

Can I use the tiles for my kitchen floor?

[random truth]

no, Because I am the Spaceship thermal-tiles nazi.
"No Tiles For you"

[norcalrivercat]

I only want it if I can have universal wifi.

[D3vildog699]

Hmm i wonder what insurance would cost...