Note: Only forum leaders may delete posts.
*HTML is ON *UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend
Smilies Legend
[b]Is the Cosmosphere getting a flown Space Shuttle?[/b] [i]"While the Cosmosphere would love to acquire a flown Orbiter, we didn't feel that it fit into our collections plan. First was the logistics and costs involved. The estimated costs from NASA to clean, safe, and deliver an orbiter are $42 million. In addition, a new facility would have to be constructed to house the orbiter as it may not be displayed outdoors. That delivery cost above only gets the shuttle to Salina or Wichita. The transport from there to Hutchinson would require us to dismantle and rebuild a large portion of the infrastructure on the connecting roads and highways (another amazing cost, plus the hassle for the state and residents). There is no direct route that is sufficiently prepared for an object that size and weight (think power lines, pipes, bridges, underpasses, etc.). We decided that, because: 1) We already have a full scale shuttle orbiter replica in our lobby and the only view of a flown orbiter would also be from the outside (no interior access), 2) The high cost of acquisition and display, and 3) The availability of shuttle cockpit trainers to enhance our exterior display... we would not pursue a shuttle orbiter. We have recently requested and are awaiting determination on a number of shuttle artifacts, including a full-scale, motion-based, shuttle cockpit trainer to be able to allow our visitors to see the shuttle cockpit layout as it exists today and to see a "vehicle" that the astronauts have "flown" for many, many more hours that even the orbiters. Hope that answers your question!"[/i] Cheers, Chris Orwoll President and CEO Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts
Copyright 1999-2024 collectSPACE. All rights reserved.