Philosophy
An historic event on Wednesday, November 3rd 2010.
As the space shuttle Discovery is prepared for its Wednesday launch on its final mission, uncertainty surrounds its eventual permanent home, U.S. officials say.
Long intended to end up on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, Discovery may, in fact, go elsewhere if the museum can't come up with the estimated $28 million needed to prepare the spacecraft for delivery and display, collectSPACE.com reported Monday.
NASA denoted the Smithsonian as recipient of Discovery after the shuttle's retirement when it announced in 2008 that all three shuttles -- Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor -- would go to museums.
But the $28.8 million reportedly is beyond the reach of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and NASA is not in a position to underwrite the cost, sources told collectSPACE.com.
"There have been discussions between NASA and the Smithsonian about the issue," Robert Jacobs, NASA's deputy associate administrator for communications, said, "but I am not sure they are on-going at this point because the process has been put on hold."
Discussion of where Discovery or any of the orbiters are going for museum display, a decision NASA administrator Charles Bolden will ultimately make, have been tabled, Jacobs said.
"We've had a lot of other things on the agency's plate besides where the orbiters are going to go," said Jacobs. "The agency is focused on safely flying out the manifest."
- End Of The Space Shuttles
I don't understand all the frowning faces when the shuttle Atlantis returns marking the end of the space shuttle program. Many act like it is the end of America...the end of the world. Come on, it is about time to realize that the United States is...
- Shuttle Discovery--the End
Suitable for printing and framing. "Ode to Discovery: Space shuttle ends a successful mission, career" Space shuttle Discovery taxied to a stop at Kennedy Space Center just before noon Wednesday, ending a triumphant 13-day mission and 27-year career....
- Fuel Leak On Space Shuttle Discovery
Again a mechanical problem has delayed the shuttle and cost more millions. "Space shuttle launch postponed again" by Irene Klotz August 25th, 2009 Reuters NASA delayed a Wednesday morning liftoff of the space shuttle Discovery because of an apparent...
- Nasa Administrator...do We Have A Winner?
Maj. Gen. Charlie Bolden "Bolden Reacts To Reports of His Impending NASA Nomination" by Becky Iannotta May 15th, 2009 space.com WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama's science adviser told Congress May 14 a NASA administrator will be announced...
- 1 In 318...odds Are Not Good
"NASA: Shuttle's Risk of Debris Strike Up 6 Percent" by Clara Moskowitz March 6th, 2009 space.com The recent surge in space junk created by an accidental satellite collision last month has bumped up the upcoming space shuttle mission's chances...
Philosophy
38 years later...shuttle Discovery to be retired
An historic event on Wednesday, November 3rd 2010.
"Discovery's final home 'up in the air'"
November 1st, 2010
SPACE TRAVEL
November 1st, 2010
SPACE TRAVEL
As the space shuttle Discovery is prepared for its Wednesday launch on its final mission, uncertainty surrounds its eventual permanent home, U.S. officials say.
Long intended to end up on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, Discovery may, in fact, go elsewhere if the museum can't come up with the estimated $28 million needed to prepare the spacecraft for delivery and display, collectSPACE.com reported Monday.
NASA denoted the Smithsonian as recipient of Discovery after the shuttle's retirement when it announced in 2008 that all three shuttles -- Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor -- would go to museums.
But the $28.8 million reportedly is beyond the reach of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and NASA is not in a position to underwrite the cost, sources told collectSPACE.com.
"There have been discussions between NASA and the Smithsonian about the issue," Robert Jacobs, NASA's deputy associate administrator for communications, said, "but I am not sure they are on-going at this point because the process has been put on hold."
Discussion of where Discovery or any of the orbiters are going for museum display, a decision NASA administrator Charles Bolden will ultimately make, have been tabled, Jacobs said.
"We've had a lot of other things on the agency's plate besides where the orbiters are going to go," said Jacobs. "The agency is focused on safely flying out the manifest."
- End Of The Space Shuttles
I don't understand all the frowning faces when the shuttle Atlantis returns marking the end of the space shuttle program. Many act like it is the end of America...the end of the world. Come on, it is about time to realize that the United States is...
- Shuttle Discovery--the End
Suitable for printing and framing. "Ode to Discovery: Space shuttle ends a successful mission, career" Space shuttle Discovery taxied to a stop at Kennedy Space Center just before noon Wednesday, ending a triumphant 13-day mission and 27-year career....
- Fuel Leak On Space Shuttle Discovery
Again a mechanical problem has delayed the shuttle and cost more millions. "Space shuttle launch postponed again" by Irene Klotz August 25th, 2009 Reuters NASA delayed a Wednesday morning liftoff of the space shuttle Discovery because of an apparent...
- Nasa Administrator...do We Have A Winner?
Maj. Gen. Charlie Bolden "Bolden Reacts To Reports of His Impending NASA Nomination" by Becky Iannotta May 15th, 2009 space.com WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama's science adviser told Congress May 14 a NASA administrator will be announced...
- 1 In 318...odds Are Not Good
"NASA: Shuttle's Risk of Debris Strike Up 6 Percent" by Clara Moskowitz March 6th, 2009 space.com The recent surge in space junk created by an accidental satellite collision last month has bumped up the upcoming space shuttle mission's chances...