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Author
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Topic: KSC Surplus: Flown shuttle tires
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Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-16-2005 07:35 PM
  
I guess I never knew shuttle tires were so inexpensive. Opening for bids is March 15, 2005. What would you do with it? I'd be interested to hear some ideas. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-16-2005 08:23 PM
I think there would be something special about buying one of these tires, hanging it from a tree and allowing kids to swing from it. They already let their imagination soar - imagine the daydreams when you told them that the tire had been to space...The minimum lot is three tires - so that would give you one to hang for the kids, one to display and one to chop up into chunks and give to your friends.  I plan to call tomorrow, but its not clear if the "Acquisition cost" listed is for reference only or is the minimum bid. Anyone interested in pooling bids? |
fireflyer21
Member Posts: 35
From: Evansville, IN
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 02-16-2005 09:04 PM
I would be interested in pooling bids.My daughter would love the tire swing! Maybe I could put one on my desk. A bit awkward maybe, but it would definitely be a conversation piece. |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 02-16-2005 09:06 PM
Count me in. |
joe bruce
Member Posts: 129
From: Spokane, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 02-17-2005 12:01 AM
I use the front and rear tire along with other artifacts from my collection that I have to take to schools and civic groups to speak about the space program and motivate kids in math and science. I also display them in my gallery in my home with the rest of my collection. How would we ship these to the different locations if we pool funds? It cost me about $200 shipping for one tire from Florida to Spokane, WA a few years ago. Let me know options, I would be interested. |
cfreeze79
Member Posts: 455
From: Herndon, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 12:02 AM
Make the count one more! |
1202 Alarm
Member Posts: 436
From: Switzerland & France
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 02-17-2005 02:37 AM
On the pdf documents, I read "Export Control required". I remember some of these things aren't allowed for export. Does anybody knows if it can go overseas?
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Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 06:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Danno:
What would you do with it? I'd be interested to hear some ideas.
*luglugluglug oomph!* "Excuse me sir/ma'am, would you please sign this tire from your shuttle mission? Ah, yeah, right there in the sweet spot, thanks. Color? Ah, let's try the silver Sharpie, not the blue or black, thanks..."Either that, or that would be one sweet monster truck to put those babies on... |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 10:03 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
Either that, or that would be one sweet monster truck to put those babies on...
My first thought was to get four and mount them on my Subaru. But my wife drives it sometimes and she is tiny. I'd have to rig up a rope like the early LEM design had.If you are chunking them, I'd like a chunk. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 11:46 AM
It would be really nice to have a little presentation in acrylic that had a chunk from each of the four shuttles that are offered. But the whole tire would be a little much for my shelf!A few years ago flown SR-71 Blackbird tires were being sold for like $75 - $100. They are cool looking and all, but I could never get around the fact that it was a big tire. I ran into somebody at recent event who had bought one. He said it just ended up in the garage collecting dust. And yes, I think some people were buying them and having them autogrpahed by the pilots at the event. All three first flight pilots were there that day. So there were great sigs to put on... but man, unless you got the space... I will hold out for something in a little presentation acrylic. |
mikepf
Member Posts: 441
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-17-2005 12:31 PM
I'm interested in joining the pool. So what is the diameter of a Shuttle tire? How big a tree would be needed to hang one from? Hanging one from a Moon Tree would be awesome! |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-17-2005 02:02 PM
People sell heatshield fragments, mylar fragments... how many flown tire fragments could we get from two of these tires? I'm in if we decide to get a set! |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-17-2005 02:12 PM
If these can be exported I'm in. Anyone know how much a tyre weighs? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-17-2005 02:48 PM
Each main landing gear tire measures 44.5 by 16 and 21 inches (outside diameter is 44.9 inches). Approx. weight: 205 pounds each.The fact export control is noted likely means these cannot be shipped overseas (per State Dept. restrictions concerning missile parts), though that's simple to research. The lots are organized such that the smallest quantity of tires is two (2) and the largest is four (4). There is no minimum bid, though the surplus dept. at KSC hopes that each tire will sell for more than the $231 acquisition cost. This auction is by sealed bid, which essentially means we must commit to paying the most we are able for a single lot and hope that its higher than everyone else bidding at the auction's close. There is no proxy bidding and no sniping. First, we need to organize ourselves and gauge interest (and funds). There appears to be two groups: those who want complete tires and those who are happy with a chunk. If those interested in either can e-mail me with your preference and the maximum you would pay, I can start organizing a method of moving forward. (I'm suggesting e-mail rather than posting here only in the case a lurker might want to use the information to best our best offer.) I'm wide open to other ideas and/or volunteers to help organize this (especially if you live in Florida and can assist with retrieval of the tires should we win). |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-17-2005 04:06 PM
buySPACE might want to look into buying several and making mounted presentations of sizable chunks not unlike the very successful shuttle flown insulation items. I'd be interested in a chunk! |
Richard
New Member Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 02-17-2005 04:33 PM
I'm sure that spaceflori is already sharpening his scissors. |
redstorm63
Member Posts: 41
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 02-17-2005 04:42 PM
I would love to get a chunk of a tire... perhaps the acrylic idea would be the way to go. But I'm interested in it. |
Michael Clemente
Member Posts: 186
From: Atco, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-17-2005 05:03 PM
I'm interested in a piece or chunk of tire. I think it would look nice displayed in acrylic or some sort of presentation. It would be nice if it could be one from each of the shuttles. Take care. |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 05:05 PM
I really hate to see things like this cut up into little pieces. I always thought 2 or more of these tires could be stacked sideways on top of each other, and topped with a thick piece of round glass (to make tables). To each his own. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-17-2005 05:12 PM
I usually do not like the practice of cutting up complete artifacts either (and to tell the truth, have my eyes set on a complete tire) but there is precedent; for years NASA gave their flown tires back to Michelin to be cut apart and distributed to educators. |
OV-105
Member Posts: 816
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 05:39 PM
I would go for a chunk of tire. |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-17-2005 05:42 PM
I'd love a complete tyre, but 205 lbs! Even if the export rules aren't a problem the cost of shipping will be. I'm not really interested in a segment so I'll have to drop out of the pool.Unless somebody knows a really cheap way of sending one of these across to Europe? |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 07:39 PM
A whole tire takes up a lot of room. I think a nice way to chunk it out would be a circular cut down the center of the tread to divide it in half, then take about a 15 degree section. That way you would get a nice big section with tread and sidewall showing.If that turns out to be too big you could instead first take about a 3 inch section from the center of the tread to chunk out. How the hell do you cut a steel-belted space tire anyway?!? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-17-2005 07:49 PM
Not that I even know this is a possibility (so don't hold me to it) but which would people prefer IF there was a choice: a chunk of tire or a mini-tire made from the melted rubber of a flown tire, complete with appropriate markings and a raised inscription on what mission the tire material flew? |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 07:58 PM
I'd prefer a chunk. |
Michael Clemente
Member Posts: 186
From: Atco, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-17-2005 08:43 PM
I like the mini-tire made from the original tire. Nice idea. Count me in. |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-17-2005 09:00 PM
What are the actual dimensions of the MLG tires? I was trying to do a quick figure of the total surface area for chunking.I know they are 44.5 x 16 inches, but how "deep" is the sidewall? The area from the bead to the tread? |
Choose2Go
Member Posts: 73
From: Merritt Island, FL, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 02-18-2005 07:06 AM
Folks, these tires are large, heavy, and tough. To cut them you need a good band saw with a metal cutting blade. It can be done, but more by a machinery shop then typical home tools. I got a piece of tire handed out during an education program - it was about 1x1x3 cm and cut from the tread of a main landing gear tire. I drilled a whole at one end and made a keychain out of it. As a kid I always thought how neat it would be to carry something flown in space in my pocket. It was retired to my memento shelf a couple years ago. If you cut up awhole tire you can get somewhere around ten thousand pieces this size. Attach a key chain and sell them to move at $5. Any interested in doing this, let me in! |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-18-2005 08:32 AM
I hanker for a hunka tire. Count me in. I would definitely want a chunk instead of a miniature from melted tire. Just my preference. |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-18-2005 10:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Choose2Go:
If you cut up a whole tire you can get somewhere around ten thousand pieces this size. Attach a key chain and sell them to move at $5.
A good way to go! I did some back of the envelope math and figured that the tread area alone is over 2500 square inches and the sidewalls are about double that. If you could sell them all for $5 you would make some profit. |
jeffbassett
Member Posts: 109
From: Toledo
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 02-18-2005 10:49 AM
I would love to get one or two of these. One to hang on the tree for my kids and one to donate to the local science museum. I could go as high as ($ 150 per tire, assuming two tires or a little over 200 for one tire ) and use my private FedEx account for shipping to me. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 02-18-2005 10:56 AM
Definitely be interested - I'd like to see an arcrylic with pieces of the three shuttles' tires in it. Good luck finding a Challenger-flown tire - and didn't someone on eBay have two Enterprise tires a while ago? They didn't sell, and I believe the seller was thinking of making chunks with that as well. Anyone know what happened? |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-18-2005 11:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by jeffbassett:
I would love to get one or two of these. One to hang on the tree for my kids and one to donate to the local science museum.
Frankly, I think your kids may have a tough time getting a good swing out of a 200+ lbs tire. You'd also need to hang it off a Redwood or something else pretty darn strong. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 02-18-2005 01:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Danno:
Frankly, I think your kids may have a tough time getting a good swing out of a 200+ lbs tire. You'd also need to hang it off a Redwood or something else pretty darn strong.
Well, we here in the Northeast get some pretty durn strong nor'easters and hurricanes. Next time there's one, just look for me on TV, swinging away for all its worth, refusing to evacuate.... |
John Youskauskas
Member Posts: 126
From:
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 02-18-2005 01:23 PM
Does anyone understand the mission designations used by NASA on the website? What is the difference between the "Flight" and "Mission" numbers? The STS- numbers would help.I would definitely be interested in the pool for an intact lot...count me in! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-18-2005 01:24 PM
As for the presentation of a piece of tire what about a cross section mounted on a plaque; a slice if you like! |
jeffbassett
Member Posts: 109
From: Toledo
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 02-18-2005 01:29 PM
Northwest Ohio is known here for its large oak trees. Hanging it from an oak would not be that hard. Would have to drill a couple of holes and anchor it with an inside steel plate and chains to the tree. Its not uncommon to see tractor tires mounted the same way here. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-18-2005 01:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by John Youskauskas:
The STS- numbers would help.
The "Mission" is the STS number. The "Flight" is the number launch for that particular orbiter. |
tedc
Member Posts: 123
From: Renton, WA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-18-2005 05:13 PM
I would be interested in a chunk of tire as well. |
Dave Clow
Member Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 02-18-2005 06:33 PM
I can't afford to bid on a chunk. If I give the winner $5, will you run me over with it? |
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