NASA will give away old Shuttles for free Just a $42m shipping charge, sir

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/18/nasa_shuttle_giveaway_plan/

By Lewis Page • Get more from this author

Posted in Space, 18th December 2008 12:23 GMT

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NASA has announced plans for disposal of the Space Shuttle fleet and spare main engines. The space agency intends to donate one orbiter to the Smithsonian museum, and give the others to "educational institutions, science museums, and other appropriate organizations".

The proud new owners will need to stump up an estimated $42m in decommissioning and delivery charges for a shuttle and $400-$800k for a main engine, exclusive of shipping.


It's not going in the garden shed.



According to the NASA request for proposals (pdf):

Due to the significance of the Space Shuttle Orbiters and the role they have played in the Nation’s space program, special attention will be paid to ensuring they will retire to appropriate places. NASA is keenly aware of the essential value of these key assets to the space program’s rich history... Orbiters would be available for donation no earlier than September 30, 2011. NASA desires to ferry the Orbiters to their final destinations no later than May 31, 2012.
However, there's a caveat. The NASA Act of 2008 keeps Pre-President Obama's options open. Should he order a continuation of shuttle operations beyond the planned cutoff date, currently set at September 30, 2010, NASA must remain ready to follow that order.

further directs NASA to “terminate or suspend any activity of the Agency that, if continued between the date of enactment of this Act and April 30, 2009, would preclude the continued safe and effective flight of the Space Shuttle after fiscal year 2010 if the President inaugurated on January 20, 2009, were to make a determination to delay the Space Shuttle’s scheduled retirement.”
So you might not get your shuttle after all, if President Obama says he still needs it.

[sakabatou]

1. And now to wait a decade for the new line of craft to come out.

[Angleae]

4. You're an optimist aren't you?

[Wilms]

2. They always get ya with the shipping and handling charge!

:grr:

[jmowreader]

3. If I come pick it up myself, how much would it be?