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NYC Still Lobbying For Space Shuttle
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 22, 2010
Modified Mar 22, 2010
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 22, 2010
Modified Mar 22, 2010
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Last year the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, along with around 20 other institutions, requested that NASA gift them a space shuttle—after they had announced they would be decommissioning the Endeavor, Atlantis and Discovery. Now that it's nearly decision making time, state officials are lobbying for the donation... as soon as this weather clears up, that is.
Today the museum's president, Bill White, was scheduled to join Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and NYC & Co's George Fertitta for a press conference calling for the shuttle's landing in NYC. They're now holding out for a less rainy day, however, to unveil the estimated economic impact the shuttle would have for the city, claiming it would generate millions and become a new iconic landmark.
Gillibrand said in a statement, “New York City is THE place for man’s greatest technological achievement," and White told the Daily News that the Intrepid and NASA even have a history together. He says the aircraft carrier recovered several astronauts after they made a splash following their missions, noting, "We were the primary space recovery vessel for NASA during [the 1960s]."
If NASA deems the city worthy, they will pay the $42 million to decontaminate and deliver the shuttle—though the museum will need to fund the glass enclosure they'd like to house it in.
Tagged
chuck schumer
intrepid
kirsten gillibrand
museum
nasa
space shuttle
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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