posted 02-04-2005 04:00 PM
The building is purely a conservation measure to get the rocket out of the rain, humidity, ozone, and other damaging environmental conditions. It will have a/c to control the relative humidity. The building is rated for 10 years, but with minor upkeep could last much longer.Our hope and expectation is twofold: 1) with currently available resources we can fully document the current condition of the rocket, we can structurally stabilize all stages of the rocket, we can clean of mold, mildew, bacteria and dirt and thereby arrest the ongoing deterioration (key is keeping it clean and dry), and we can develop and test all the preservation and restoration techiques that can be applied to ensure that as much original materials and structures as possible will be preserved.
2) When additional funds are available we will be able to apply (stage by stage) -- beginning with the LES and working downward -- the tested and approved preservation tasks and begin to return the artifact to very near its original appearance.
It has always been our wish that eventually a permanent indoor display will be provided for the artifact. There have been a number of proposals and plans over the years. The problem was that we simply ran out of time to wait for a permanent solution. We had to act to be sure that the rocket would survive long enough to move into a new permanent home.
The rocket is now documented and will soon be stabilized -- no small accomplishment. It will be available to visitors. However, I still look forward to the day it is restored and has a permanent home.
Allan
[This message has been edited by aneedell (edited February 04, 2005).]
posted 02-04-2005 02:54 PM
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