NASA is looking ahead to the day in 2010 when the space shuttle fleet retires and the three orbiter vehicles — Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour — never fly again.
But NASA is seeking proposals for display of only two of the three shuttles.
NASA issued a request for information (RFI) seeking suggestions to be submitted by March 17 describing how two of the orbiters and the space shuttle main engines might be displayed for the public to view.
The space agency welcomes input from educational institutions, science museums and other appropriate organizations that might acquire and publicly display the orbiters and main engines.
Sponsored by the Office of Infrastructure, the NASA 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 will use this information to develop strategies for eventual placement of two space shuttle orbiters and a minimum of six unassembled space shuttle main engine display kits.
NASA’s primary goal of this effort is to collect a wide variety of perspectives about whether eligible recipient organizations are capable of appropriately displaying the shuttle orbiters and main engines, and bearing the full cost of preparing the hardware for display and transportation to its final destination.
The RFI also seeks ideas about how the shuttle orbiters and shuttle main engines can best be used in the broad national interest to inspire the American public and students in particular. Organizations interested in responding to the RFI must provide their input to NASA by March 17.