Museums Fight for NASA’s Shuttles

Friday, 14 May 2010 | by Pat's Picks

There’s a different kind of space race going on says the Orlando Sentinel, but this one is taking place on solid ground. As the shuttle Atlantis prepares for its final lift-off this afternoon, museums around the country are fighting for the opportunity to exhibit the storied space craft, or one of the two other orbiters NASA will retired later this year. The final decision might come down to which institution can afford the $28.8 million price tag NASA wants for displaying each shuttle. At least 21 institutions have submitted requests, including the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and New York’s Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Click here for photos of the Atlantis shuttle or here for facts about it.