posted 06-11-2008 07:42 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
Enterprise will likely go somewhere else.

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posted 06-13-2008 10:46 AM               

The Huntsville Times: Shuttle mockup undergoes repairs

The nearly full-size space shuttle mockup at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is undergoing repairs after part of the floor section near the nose separated from the body of Pathfinder this month.

Space Center CEO Larry Capps said during Wednesday's meeting of the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission that it was discovered last week that the "belly pan" on the mockup had dropped from a mounting bracket one night and was resting on the external fuel tank.

The damaged area has been cleaned up and will be restored using better materials, he said.

The NASA contractors doing the work "determined that the rest of the shuttle is in good shape, structurally," Capps said.

The steel model was built at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1977 to test moving procedures, cranes and other aspects of the spacecraft's design, according to NASA. It was used at Marshall and Kennedy Space Center in Florida, then sat in storage until a group of Japanese businessmen offered to spend $1 million to modify it to look more like a real shuttle for display at a space exposition in Tokyo in 1983-84.

Pathfinder was later returned to Marshall and became a centerpiece display at the Space Center.

Much of the front part of the shuttle model is plywood and fiberglass added for the Tokyo exposition, said Space Center spokesman Al Whitaker. Rain apparently got in and corroded the flooring, allowing the section under the nose to fall.

posted 06-13-2008 10:52 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
I am hearing a VERY strong rumour that the original flight deck of the Enterprise is being installed at the San Diego Air & Space Museum as we speak... and an official announcement will be made next week.

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posted 06-18-2008 06:54 PM               

SEC. 612. DISPOSITION OF SHUTTLE-RELATED ASSETS.

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall provide a plan to Congress for the disposition of the remaining Space Shuttle orbiters and other Space Shuttle program-related hardware and facilities after the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet. The plan shall include a process by which educational institutions and science museums and other appropriate organizations may acquire, through loan or disposal by the Federal Government, Space Shuttle program-related hardware. The Administrator shall not dispose of any Space Shuttle-related hardware prior to the completion of the plan.

posted 07-11-2008 11:23 AM               

National Environmental Policy Act: Disposition of Space Shuttle Program's Real and Personal Property

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR Part 1216, Subpart 1216.3), NASA has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the disposition of the Space Shuttle Program's (SSP's) real and personal property using a structured process consisting of a coordinated series of actions. Under Presidential direction, NASA will cease operations of its SSP by 2010. A number of assets will be dispositioned during the transition and retirement (T&R) activities. NASA proposes to implement a structured process for the disposition of the SSP real and personal property consisting of a coordinated series of actions. SSP T&R activities would include potential retirement, transfer, and disposal of property. SSP property disposition activities would extend for several years beyond 2010. On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush presented his Vision for U.S. Space Exploration (hereinafter ``the Vision'') to the nation. Congress expressly endorsed the President's exploration initiative and provided additional direction for the initiative in the NASA Authorization Act of 2005. In announcing the Vision, the President directed NASA to use the Space Shuttle to fulfill its obligation to complete assembly of the International Space Station and then retire the Space Shuttle by 2010. Under Presidential direction, NASA will cease operations of its SSP activities at all locations, including Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida; Johnson Space Center (JSC), Ellington Field (EF), and El Paso Forward Operating Location (EPFOL), Texas; Stennis Space Center (SSC), Mississippi; Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), Louisiana; Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Alabama; White Sands Test Facility (WSTF), New Mexico; Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) and Palmdale (Air Force Plant 42, Site 1), California; and the associated contractor facilities. The cessation of SSP operations will necessitate the disposition of all program-related assets. Public comments received on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) during the public review period conducted from February 27, 2008, through March 28, 2008, are provided along with responses in Appendix E of the Final PEA.

DATES: July 11, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The Final PEA may be reviewed at the following location:

1. NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546-0001 (202-358-0168).

   It also may be examined at the following locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act Office:

2. NASA, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 (256-544-1837); and

3. NASA, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 (321-867-2745). Hard copies of the Final PEA also may be viewed at other NASA Centers (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below). Limited hard copies of the Final PEA are available, on a first request basis, by contacting Donna L. Holland at the address or telephone number indicated herein. The Final PEA will be available for viewing online.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General: Ms. Monica Vest, Government Community Relations Dept., NASA MSFC, CS30, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, Phone: (256) 544-5560, mail: Monica.M.Vest@nasa.gov. Technical: Ms. Donna L. Holland, Environmental Engineering Office, NASA MSFC, AS10, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, Phone: (256) 544-7201, e-mail: Donna.L.Holland@nasa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA has reviewed the Final PEA prepared for the disposition of the SSP's real and personal property and has determined that it represents an accurate and adequate analysis of the scope and level of associated environmental impacts. The Final PEA is hereby incorporated by reference in this FONSI. Under NASA's Proposed Action, SSP transition and property disposal activities would be expected to occur at the following NASA sites:

• Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
  
• George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama.
  
• John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard County, Florida.
  
• John C. Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, Mississippi.
  
• Johnson Space Center El Paso Forward Operating Location, El Paso, Texas.
  
• Johnson Space Center Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.
  
• Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (and the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range), Las Cruces, New Mexico.
  
• Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.
  
• Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia.
  
• Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  
• Palmdale Air Force Plant 42, Site 1, Palmdale, California.

The Final PEA may be viewed at the following NASA locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act Office in writing or by telephoning:

1. NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (650-604- 3273);
   
2. NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (661- 276-2704);
   
3. NASA, Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, Cleveland, OH 44135 (1-866-404-3642);
   
4. NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301- 286-4721);
   
5. NASA, John C. Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (228-688-2118);
   
6. NASA, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (281- 483-8612);
   
7. NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 (757-864- 2497);
   
8. NASA, Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, LA 70189 (504- 257-2629); and
   
9. NASA, White Sands Test Facility, Las Cruces, NM 88004 (505-524- 5024).

   In addition the Final PEA may be examined at:

10. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109.

Alternatives that were evaluated include the: (1) No-Action Alternative; and (2) the Proposed Action Alternative. Under the No- Action Alternative, NASA would not implement the proposed comprehensive and coordinated effort to disposition SSP property under a structured and centralized SSP process. Instead, the disposition of SSP property would occur on a Center-by-Center and item-by-item basis in the normal course of NASA's ongoing facility and program management. Under the Proposed Action (which is also NASA's Preferred Alternative), NASA would conduct disposition actions for real and personal property using a structured process consisting of a coordinated series of actions in accordance with 41 CFR, Chapter 101, "Federal Property Management Regulations;" Subchapter H, "Utilization and Disposal;" Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 45; 48 CFR Part 45, "Government Property"; and NASA FAR Supplement Part 1845, 48 CFR 1845, "Government Property".

When the SSP disposes of or transfers real or personal property, the responsible NASA Center will evaluate the property using Federal and NASA property management regulations and guidance.

The notice of availability of the Draft PEA was published in the Federal Register on February 28, 2008. Notice also was published in local newspapers serving communities near NASA Centers and installations primarily involved in SSP. NASA received 20 comments on the Draft PEA. Environmental concerns were expressed in the context of general interest and support, historic and cultural property disposition, and natural resource management. These comments are addressed in the Final PEA, and were considered along with responses in reaching NASA's decision.

The analyses of environmental impacts due to activities associated with the disposition of shuttle property revealed minimal to no impact on environmental resources with the exception of the effect on historical resources. The impact to historic resources was found to be moderate, but adverse. The moderate impact is due to the potential for demolition or modification of buildings that will no longer be needed after the retirement of the SSP. NASA believes that the ultimate impact will be moderate because, before any final decision is made about demolishing or modifying any facility, NASA will conduct an appropriate level of environmental and cultural resource analysis. If any such properties are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, NASA will take no action that would affect any such property until the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process is complete.

On the basis of the evaluations documented in the SSP T&R Final PEA, the environmental impacts associated with the proposed action would not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. An Environmental Impact Statement need not and will not be prepared, and NASA is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact.

posted 07-13-2008 08:03 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
On the subject of retired orbiters, OV-098 Pathfinder, on display at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, is undergoing repairs.

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Closing in

Sanding. Notice the roughened state of the nose. It wasn't like this in February. I can only assume it's part of the work in progress.

Note the NASA logo on the crane.

posted 08-08-2008 03:23 PM               

Though the three remaining NASA shuttles are slated for space travel until 2010, an effort is quietly underway to house one of them post-retirement at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The museum, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is currently in fundraising mode to stockpile $40 million toward the construction of a new hangar for a space exhibit. The museum has identified the exhibit as its most important priority, and the U.S. Air Force has made a formal request to NASA for one of the three shuttles for display at the museum.

posted 12-17-2008 02:37 PM               

Request for Information on Space Shuttle Orbiter and Space Shuttle Main Engine Placement

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain input from educational institutions, science museums, and other appropriate organizations about the community’s ability to acquire and publicly display the Space Shuttle Orbiters and Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) after conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program.

The RFI seeks input from educational institutions, science museums, and other appropriate organizations with experience in public display of space hardware and nationally-recognized historical artifacts. 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 SSME display engine “kits.”

NASA’s primary goal of this effort is to collect a wide variety of perspectives on whether eligible recipient organizations are capable of appropriately displaying the Space Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs and bearing the full cost of preparing the hardware for display and transportation to its final destination. The RFI also seeks ideas on how these assets 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 within 90 days.

Download RFI on Orbiter and SSME Placement

posted 12-17-2008 07:28 PM               

Museums interested in exhibiting NASA's space shuttle orbiters after they're retired in 2010 may need to meet certain requirements set by the space agency on Wednesday, including the ability to underwrite upwards of $40 million in shipping and handling charges.

..."The National Air and Space Museum has been offered the space shuttle Discovery and has to pay the estimated $42 million," stated Curie.

posted 12-17-2008 09:29 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
With regards to Johnson Space Center, it may be that the leg-span of the Kemah bridge (which was not in place at the time of the Saturn V's arrival) could present an obstacle to a shuttle-faring barge.

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posted 12-17-2008 10:53 PM               

Then again, I think that one of the shuttles should be "surgically" cut in half longitudinally to reveal the inner workings of the crew cabin, payload bay, and empannage. Also, one half would go to one musem, and another half would go to another. But that idea is probably too King Solomon-esque.

posted 12-18-2008 07:20 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by btguest:
How about the delivery fee if it included the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft?

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posted 12-18-2008 02:39 PM               

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".

posted 12-18-2008 02:43 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by kr4mula:
Anyone know if it has been standard for NASA to charge a recipient museum for this type of preparation and moving before? I wonder if NASA would consider letting a museum like the USAF Museum here in Dayton do its own restoration-for-display.

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posted 12-18-2008 02:57 PM               

"It is really not selling the orbiter, it is the preparation," said NASA spokesman Michael Curie in an interview with collectSPACE, explaining that $28.2 million goes toward "safing" the orbiter, "which is primarily, removing all the hypergolic fuel systems and other environmental hazards from the shuttle..."

The museums who receive the shuttles would likely need to spend more money above and beyond the $42 million to ready the orbiters for display and perform whatever restoration they desire.

Both the Smithsonian and NASA believe that in the past, the Smithsonian has not incurred expenses related to the vehicles until they were on-property. Delivery and preparation of the vehicles was covered by the space agency. However, both acknowledge that we now live in different times and that the economies of providing or accepting such services have changed.

posted 12-18-2008 03:00 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Meek:
Any idea why Columbia was included in fig. 1 (page 8) of the RFI?

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posted 12-18-2008 10:53 PM               

• According to KSCW-TV in Wichita, the Kansas Cosmosphere won't get one of NASA's shuttles up for grabs, but the space museum could get one of the engine kits.

  Board members will meet Tuesday to discuss whether to write up a proposal for the parts.

• The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio intends to "push hard" for an orbiter, reports the Dayton Daily News.

  The museum's supporters have raised $14 million of the $42 million needed to construct a building there that could house a shuttle, museum officials have said.

posted 12-19-2008 09:12 AM               

"We don't have that kind of money and to be able to do that kind of fundraising effort in this economy is unrealistic," Al Whitaker, spokesman for the Space Center, said Thursday.

After all, it took the center nearly 5 years to raise about $22 million to refurbish its Saturn V rocket and build the new Davidson Center for Space Exploration, $20 million less than what NASA wants for a shuttle, Whitaker said.

posted 12-19-2008 01:18 PM               

The museum's supporters have raised $14 million of the $42 million needed to construct a building there that could house a shuttle, museum officials have said.

posted 12-19-2008 01:30 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by kr4mula:
Why not just charge for the costs above and beyond what NASA is going to have to do to the shuttles when they're retired, regardless of where they end up?

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The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force chose to raise funds to build a gallery that can house much more than just the shuttle, which is presumably a significantly higher price tag than a dedicated shuttle facility.

As to sources for funding, in the last year or so, Boeing has gifted at least $16 million to museums and public displays. Surely, given the company's (and its acquired companies') history, Boeing can find $50 million over the next three years to fund a shuttle display.

posted 12-20-2008 12:10 AM               

And the museum has already revealed plans to raise #30m to add the iconic object to its Exploring Space gallery - set up to inspire young people and budding scientists and engineers.

The Endeavour Orbiter already has a connection to Britain, being named after Captain James Cook's ship.

Organizations responding to this RFI must be: 1) a U.S. museum, institution, or organization dedicated to education or educational outreach, including NASA Visitor Centers; 2) a U.S. Federal agency, State, Commonwealth, or U.S. possession or any municipal corporation or political subdivision thereof; or 3) the District of Columbia.

It should be noted that the organizations that ultimately receive a Space Shuttle Orbiter or SSME hardware must abide by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions placed on the items. The Orbiters and SSMEs fall under the purview of the U.S. Munitions List (USML), as defined in the ITAR (22 CFR120-130) and are export controlled.