NASA Will Give Away Space Shuttles

Sure the fuel costs might be a bit much, but just imagine the heads you’d turn crusing down the highway in your own space shuttle.

You could own your very own space shuttle when the program ends in 2010. Provided you’re part of community of “educational institutions, science museums and other appropriate organizations.”

NASA is considering giving such groups one of its fleet of shuttles according to CNet. NASA issued a request for information (RFI) soliciting ideas for what to do with the shuttle orbiters and main engines once the program ends yesterday.

Sponsored by NASA’s Office of Infrastructure, the RFI seeks input from appropriate officials and decision makers from museums, science centers, institutions, and other organizations dedicated to education or educational outreach with experience in public display of space hardware and nationally-recognized historical artifacts,” NASA said in a release. NASA will use information gained from this RFI to develop strategies for eventual placement of two space shuttle orbiters and a minimum of six unassembled space shuttle main engine display “kits.”

The agency said the purpose of the initiative is to decide whether institutions or other members of the community have the appropriate wherewithal to display a shuttle or engines, including the ability to fund such efforts.

NASA probably doesn’t intend for the communities that win a shuttle to fly the shuttles or send them into orbit. But you never know.

So, how long until we see a space shuttle on E-Bay?