NASA To Give Away Old Space Shuttles

Always dreamed of owning your own space shuttle? Now is your chance! NASA has announced that they will dispose of the Space Shuttle fleet and spare main engines. In their plans, they will donate one orbiter to the Smithsonian museum and give the others to science museums, educational institutions, and other appropriate organizations. In order to get one of the "donated" shuttles, you will still need to cough up as much as $42 million USD for decommissioning and delivery charges. Want a main engine? You'll need close to $1 million for its shipping charges.

Due to the significance of the Space Shuttle Orbiters and the role they have played in the Nations space program, special attention will be paid to ensuring they will retire to appropriate places. NASA is keenly aware of the essential value of these key assets to the space programs rich history... Orbiters would be available for donation no earlier than September 30, 2011. NASA desires to ferry the Orbiters to their final destinations no later than May 31, 2012.

The organizations that ultimately receive a Space Shuttle Orbiter or SSME hardware must abide by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations... The Orbiters and SSMEs are export controlled. The Space Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs shall not be transferred to foreign persons, in the US or abroad, or exported out of the US, without notification to NASA and the specific approval/export license from the Department of State.

Shuttle Orbiters and SSMEs may not be displayed outdoors. Responders should be aware that the Orbiters and SSMEs will require suitable climate-controlled indoor display space.