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On Orbit => Real NASA Space Shuttle Missions => Topic started by: Admin on March 09, 2011, 12:27:22 AM

Title: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Admin on March 09, 2011, 12:27:22 AM

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=shuttle-retirement-2011

/Admin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: uri_ba on March 10, 2011, 02:01:43 AM

my guess is that endaevour will end up in NYC next to the concorde and the intrepid. they said they will build a glass house to protect her from weather.

I think that Discovery will end up in the Smithsonian.
which will send the Enterprise to JSC. (again, I think)

KSC has pathfinder - so they don't need another.

And the USAF will probably get Atlantis.. Dayton, Ohio.. what a weird final resting place for a shuttle.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on March 10, 2011, 02:45:33 AM

My guess:

Discovery to Smithsonian.

Atlantis to USAF - Dayton, Ohio (due to DOD missions).

Endeavour to KSC.

Explorer (KSC's mockup) to JSC or destroyed.

Enterprise to DFRC (Edwards) as that's where she did all her tests.


Just my guess.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on March 10, 2011, 04:46:02 AM

Personally, I think it'd be a waste if KSC and/or JSC didn't get one considering that KSC has always been the home to the shuttles, and JSC is home of the astronauts/mission control.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Admin on March 10, 2011, 04:55:22 AM

My personal take is that NASA should keep two: Discovery for KSCVC and Endeavor for JSCVC, while Atlantis can be passed to the Dayton, OH USAF museum.

The Smithsonian already has a real one (albeit not one which has been into space), while the mockup at KSC is a joke, compared to the real deal. NASA cannot afford to be left without any on display. That's almost unnatural.

Those US$90M they plan to grossing by selling them to various parties, will not make any impression on NASA's yearly budget.

So I say: Discovery to KSCVC, Endeavor to JSCVC and Atlantis to USAF.

My 2c,
/Admin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on March 10, 2011, 04:59:43 AM

My *Exact* thoughts. I really see no reason at all why it should go to New York, and if the NASM took a shuttle, I doubt they'd have the resources to move Enterprise anywhere else and there's no reason they should have two.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: tomcat7 on March 10, 2011, 05:16:15 AM

Steven, I think your guesses are the closest.  I think the Enterprise may be destroyed, however, since NASM won't need two if they get Discovery (and assuming another museum isn't willing to pay the freight).

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on March 10, 2011, 05:54:53 AM

Nah, I wouldn't ever see them destroying it. It's too important of an artifact. If it was at risk of being destroyed, I bet there's many institutions that would pay to magically ship it out.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: spaceboy7441 on March 10, 2011, 06:24:58 AM

You can't say KSC doesn't get one because of Pathfinder, it is nothing at all compared to the real thing. Plus it was said in the presser today that if KSC gets one we are in for quite the surprise on the display they have planned. I think after all they have done with them they deserve one. You also can't say that KSC has had the. They have but not on display, completely different. My thoughts would be Discovery is almost a done deal for Smithsonian from what I have heard, Endeavour to KSC, Atlantis to JSC, Enterprise to USAF. Just the ideal for me.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: DaveG on March 11, 2011, 06:58:48 AM

So I have a question. Would a contractor be awarded the job of getting one of the shuttles into a museum before it's official?  According to my brother, his company was awarded the job of placing Atlantis into the USAF Museum.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: spaceboy7441 on March 11, 2011, 08:03:25 AM

Quote from: DaveG on March 11, 2011, 06:58:48 AM

So I have a question. Would a contractor be awarded the job of getting one of the shuttles into a museum before it's official?  According to my brother, his company was awarded the job of placing Atlantis into the USAF Museum.

Maybe they were told that they would have the contract if it was to happen

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Richard R on March 11, 2011, 08:42:11 AM

JSC needs a Shuttle.


Richard R

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Admin on March 11, 2011, 11:25:03 PM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

KSCVC is in for a major change ;)

/Admin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on March 11, 2011, 11:49:55 PM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Pathfinder is kind of a joke, honestly <_<

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: spaceboy7441 on March 12, 2011, 03:03:19 AM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Come on Uri, Pathfinder was not meant to be a perfect display. It was a simple model, it has no historical value like Enterprise does. KSC will have the correct display set up I knowq that. They of all people will know to treat them with respect

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on March 12, 2011, 10:48:11 AM

Quote from: tomcat7 on March 10, 2011, 05:16:15 AM

Steven, I think your guesses are the closest.  I think the Enterprise may be destroyed, however, since NASM won't need two if they get Discovery (and assuming another museum isn't willing to pay the freight).

Unless NASM decides on displaying both, nose to nose.  They are two very different pieces of space history.  I would hope Enterprise doesn't get destroyed, she pioneered the way of the Shuttles.

And KSC has Explorer.  Pathfinder is on display at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: uri_ba on March 12, 2011, 05:39:57 PM

Quote from: spaceboy7441 on March 12, 2011, 03:03:19 AM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Come on Uri, Pathfinder was not meant to be a perfect display. It was a simple model, it has no historical value like Enterprise does. KSC will have the correct display set up I knowq that. They of all people will know to treat them with respect

the Only way proper for the shuttle, is setting up a new building for it. like they did for the Saturn V they have there.

possibly linked with current launch control. that would OK I guess.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Admin on March 12, 2011, 05:50:16 PM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 12, 2011, 05:39:57 PM

Quote from: spaceboy7441 on March 12, 2011, 03:03:19 AM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Come on Uri, Pathfinder was not meant to be a perfect display. It was a simple model, it has no historical value like Enterprise does. KSC will have the correct display set up I knowq that. They of all people will know to treat them with respect

the Only way proper for the shuttle, is setting up a new building for it. like they did for the Saturn V they have there.

possibly linked with current launch control. that would OK I guess.

That's the idea Uri. A Shuttle complex.

/Admin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: spaceboy7441 on March 12, 2011, 07:45:30 PM

Quote from: Admin on March 12, 2011, 05:50:16 PM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 12, 2011, 05:39:57 PM

Quote from: spaceboy7441 on March 12, 2011, 03:03:19 AM

Quote from: uri_ba on March 11, 2011, 11:18:23 PM

Shuttle at ksc is a bad idea. Seenig how pathfinder is displayed compare to enterprise that is.

Come on Uri, Pathfinder was not meant to be a perfect display. It was a simple model, it has no historical value like Enterprise does. KSC will have the correct display set up I knowq that. They of all people will know to treat them with respect

the Only way proper for the shuttle, is setting up a new building for it. like they did for the Saturn V they have there.

possibly linked with current launch control. that would OK I guess.

That's the idea Uri. A Shuttle complex.

/Admin

That's exactly what they would do. They aren't going to just throw it outside and leave it there. I bet it will have something just like the Saturn V building with a bunch of stuff like famous payloads and a Hubble section etc.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on March 13, 2011, 02:12:58 AM

I really like the concept art the KSC visitor's center has come up with.

First, they posted this:

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/38590_135588909816587_132252766816868_160304_7089728_n.jpg)

I nitpicked about it... "I think it'd be nice to let visitors get a closeup view of the top of the shuttle, perhaps one where they could at least look at the interior through the windows. Also what if the payload bay doors were open, the radiators and KU band antenna were extended, and some no-longer-needed equipment (Such as an Orbital Docking System, an MPLM, or a Spacehab module) installed inside the payload bay? Even though it can't hold it's own weight by itself on the ground, it'd also be cool if the arm was extended. That would give visitors a better idea of what the shuttle is like while it's actually in orbit."

And 4 months later, I was excited when they posted:

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/156959_10150106216467269_96711692268_7546823_3592268_n.jpg)

The JSC visitor's center didn't like my advice though </3 "James, Your right, it would be an impressive display. We are very open minded on different ways to display it. Currently, the doors and Canada Arm require a lot of external structure and support in Earth’s gravity. This could make it difficult to view."

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/47102_443241039440_255006034440_4686711_3680855_n.jpg)

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on March 13, 2011, 09:39:21 AM

Note in that image, the right side Payload Bay door looks like it's been completely taken off... but that could be a viewing angle issue.  The doors usually don't come that far open (to look like they aren't even there).

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Moonwalker on March 30, 2011, 04:42:30 PM

Quote

Technicians at the Kennedy Space Center have begun taking apart the shuttle Discovery, the ship now a laboratory specimen for engineering forensics before her future date with a museum.

(http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/110327retire/04.jpg)

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/110327retire/

http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts133/110327retire/gallery.html

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Cthulhus on March 31, 2011, 12:16:08 AM

(http://www.wpclipart.com/smiley/glossy_smiley/glossy_blue_smileys/glossy_smiley_blue_sad_T.png)

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: uri_ba on March 31, 2011, 01:28:06 AM

Quote from: Cthulhus on March 31, 2011, 12:16:08 AM

(http://www.wpclipart.com/smiley/glossy_smiley/glossy_blue_smileys/glossy_smiley_blue_sad_T.png)

indeed :(

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Dee-Jay on March 31, 2011, 03:15:17 AM

:( ....

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: spaceboy7441 on April 13, 2011, 12:27:48 AM

The announcement was made today:
Atlantis: KSC
Discovery: Smithsonian
Endeavour: The California Science Center, Los Angeles
Enterprise: Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York City

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on April 13, 2011, 03:49:22 AM

I think it's a really big shame that JSC didn't get one. KSC and JSC seemed like givens to me. What surprises me the most is that they selected LA of all places. I hadn't even heard any publicity at all for LA's campaign to get a shuttle. If anything, I think that JSC should have at least gotten Enterprise or a mockup. It only makes sense to let JSC keep at least one mockup considering that's where they were used... instead of shipping all of them off someplace else, and letting JSC have a few seats.

But of course, as Gene Cernan said today, it's just another case of "politics over history" >_>

What I find funny is how there's three different states calling themselves 'home' for the shuttles. KSC will always be considered their real 'home,' JSC is literally home of the astronauts--the most important part of the shuttle--, while California's argument is weak as the shuttles were only assembled there. That'd be like saying that most products in the US belong 'home' in China.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: simking on April 13, 2011, 05:17:23 AM

I agree  i would have said
KSC
JSC
Air and space museum

La got it because Edwards AFB is in LA county  so That i can see
what i don't want to see is the shuttle sitting in a hangar doors all closed and no way to see it from above or eye level
I'm still pissed that they retired them all thanks Mr jackass president for making USA spineless in space. way to create jobs how many will be unemployed now?
funny how just the states that voted for Jackass got shuttles...

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: simking on April 13, 2011, 05:26:06 AM

They made the choices today...
pure political
JSC...the heart of training astronauts...............SNUBBED Red state
Hutsville rocket center home of Space camp......SNUBBED Red state

 

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: simking on April 13, 2011, 05:29:03 AM

Another SAD day for the united states everyday America becoming >:( a footnote in history

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on April 13, 2011, 05:37:38 AM

Let's not get in a debate now, but I do disagree with JSC not getting a Shuttle...  Endeavour should have gone there, not some no-name place in California (I'm sure it's not no-name, I've just never heard of it..).

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: simking on April 13, 2011, 07:00:09 AM

California I can see its LA county that got one home of Edwards AFB and where 90% of the shuttles were built.

and why not wright patt? makes no sense as far as criteria for homes historical significance as was supposed to be part of judging wright patt and JSC are dead giveaways.
 and as far as the air and space museum that is a gimmie too as the curator to anything with historical significance for the USA  but NY??? just because the ship(intrepid) picked up Mercury astronauts  weighing the importance between JSC and wright Patt      NY would be LAST.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on April 13, 2011, 08:18:53 AM

I think the most asinine thing is that not only did JSC not get a shuttle, but they didn't even get a mockup, or even a trainer for god's sake. Heck, all I heard JSC is getting is some flight deck/mid deck seats. It blows my mind. I heard the Texas legislation is asking for a congressional inquiry on the decision-making process.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on April 13, 2011, 08:20:25 AM

All the promotional stuff I read from California (Note: I hadn't heard anything at all about their quest for a shuttle till after it was announced) was blessing it as "A space shuttle is finally returning home!" They didn't mention Edwards AFB--their selling point seemed to be that the shuttles were assembled there.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on April 14, 2011, 01:24:26 AM

While I do understand they were built there, and *sometimes* land there, KSC, JSC, and NASM should have gotten the three flight Shuttles and sent Enterprise over to Dryden, to me that would have made the most sense.  I bet you could ask 65% of LA as to if they even know what a Space Shuttle is and their response would be something like "A what?  Shuttle?  Oh, yeah I heard about it on the news... Don't know anything about it though".

Oh well, now I'm ranting.  Sorry Admin.  ;)

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: mborgia on April 14, 2011, 02:56:49 AM

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is also demanding an investigation.  Ohio voted for Obama by the way.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Admin on April 18, 2011, 12:59:01 AM

Quote from: mborgia on April 14, 2011, 02:56:49 AM

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is also demanding an investigation.  Ohio voted for Obama by the way.

IMHO this matter is maybe one of the few things that people cannot pin on Obama ;)

/Admin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: simking on April 18, 2011, 06:56:04 AM

Might have voted for obuma but they voted against Dems in the congress and senate elections like so many stated did. all their seats went republican.

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on April 19, 2011, 06:57:52 AM

I wonder where this will go:

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/04/18/fight-over-space-shuttle-sites-continues.html

Personally I think it's a fantastic idea. New York doesn't need one, they're within driving distance of the Smithsonian

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Pocci on April 19, 2011, 07:12:34 PM

I like the Idea too.
Plus: The Enterprize was used and flown in California.

/Armin

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Spaceguy5 on April 23, 2011, 11:23:42 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leNsvK9V8PA&feature=player_embedded Oh wow >____________>

Title: Re: Where will the remaining Shuttles retire?
Post by: Steven on April 23, 2011, 04:12:02 PM

Where is this "Youston" he's talking about?  ;)