The Space Shuttle Enterprise can still be seen (at least for the rest of this week) if you drive by the hangar it's being housed in at JFK Airport. After that it will be prepared to make its move to the barge that will bring it down the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in June. But when will you be able to get an up close look at the big hunk of historic NASA machinery? The museum released a statement today announcing that the Shuttle will be on view to the public starting July 19th.
The Space Shuttle Enterprise Will Open To Public On July 19th—Buy Your Tickets Now!
Space Shuttle Enterprise Still Scheduled To Arrive In NYC Tomorrow Morning
As of today we're being told that things are "looking good" for the Space Shuttle Enterprise's journey to New York City tomorrow morning (though "the event remains dependent on weather and will be postponed in the event of rain or strong winds.") The Shuttle's arrival has been delayed by the weather since Monday, when it was first scheduled to arrive, but if everything goes smoothly it will make its grand entrance tomorrow between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
NASA Tentatively Schedules Space Shuttle Enterprise's Arrival In NYC For TOMORROW FRIDAY!
[UPDATE: The latest word is that NASA has changed the—still tentative—date to this Friday morning. Updates to come as they confirm.] Yesterday the Space Shuttle Enterprise was scheduled to arrive in New York City (finally—it's been over a year since the announcement), but weather postponed its trip. Now NASA has selected tomorrow (Wednesday) morning for its fly-over and landing at JFK airport. The date is still tentative, but weather-permitting you can expect the Shuttle to be doing a low fly-over between 9:30 and 11 a.m., before landing at the airport. Following that, the Enterprise will be "demated" from the 747 and placed on a barge that will be tugged up the Hudson River to its new home at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in June.
Save The Date: The Space Shuttle Lands In NYC On April 23rd
The Space Shuttle Enterprise is finally coming to its new permanent home, New York City. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, who last November became the official title holders of the shuttle, has just announced that it will arrive on April 23rd. The shuttle actually never orbited space (but it was visited by the cast of Star Trek), so this will be one of its most historic journeys.
Space Shuttle Enterprise Is Now Officially A New Yorker, Says NASA
Why does this make us want to do the Evil Laugh? Anyway, the Space Shuttle Enterprise is ours, all ours. Earlier today, NASA officials signed the giant hunk of space machinery over to to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Teenage Hudson Jumper Rescued By Random Passerby
A 15-year-old girl jumped into the Hudson River near the USS Intrepid in Hell's Kitchen on Sunday and was quickly rescued by an unidentified man who leaped in after her—proof, once again, that Good Samaritans do exist in this city.
Vodka Mogul Pays $2K/Day To Dock Massive Yacht At Cruise Terminal
While Veterans Day honored all those who served the US military, let us not forget those who have fought in the trenches of the international liquor wars. At the Intrepid Museum's holiday ceremony yesterday, a Times reporter noticed that a 440-foot yacht docked upriver was stealing the show. It's "the first private vessel to moor at the city-owned passenger terminal, where Cunard ocean liners frequently put in" and pays $2,000 a day to do so. Who owns the yacht? Yuri Shefler, the head of the SPI Group that makes Stolichnaya. Let's see you make it to San Tropez before happy hour, Svedka robot. Bot or Not, indeed.
New Rendering Shows Space Shuttle Enterprise At The Intrepid
All of our fighting for a space shuttle paid off in April when NASA granted us the Enterprise, but now what do we do with it? On Friday, the senior VP at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Matt Woods, spoke at a public forum asking a panel of economic development planners "to make the Enterprise building a priority for state assistance." You see, now we need about $85 million to finance a structure in which to house the massive shuttle (the 75,000-square-foot building would also house laboratories, a retail space and a rooftop cafe).
Mission Accomplished: The LEGO Intrepid Is Complete
This morning Ed Diment completed his 22-foot-long, 550-pound Intrepid model that he's been constructing since yesterday. Check out the completed project... which looks like it's missing the space shuttle Enterprise. Maybe another LEGO artist can make one and sneak it on deck.
Right Now: Artist Creating Intrepid Out Of LEGOs... On The Intrepid!
Anyone who's anyone is using LEGO bricks to recreate things these days. The latest LEGO creation is being built up right now at the Intrepid, where Ed Diment is constructing that 22-foot-long, 550-pound Intrepid model that we've heard so much about. He began at 11 a.m., and these photos were just sent to us, so it looks like he's really just assembling a pre-constructed piece. Currently we're told Diment is teaching a visiting group of first grade students from Metropolitan Lighthouse Charter School in the Bronx how to build smaller structures, but once class is dismissed he'll go back to the big task at hand, which he'll complete sometime tomorrow.
Some People Are Upset NYC Got The "Fake" Space Shuttle, Are You?
Yesterday NASA announced that New York City would be receiving one of the retired space shuttles. Hurrah! Or not. Seems not everyone is happy that we got the broken one. One Daily News columnist says, "Unbelievable... the best Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand could get us was a prototype. What's worse is that L.A. is getting a real one: The Endeavour. Where are they gonna put it, Disneyland?" Good point, but also: calm down lady. Tantrums are for children who want sugary cereal, not grown adults. Plus, does it really matter?
Houston Cries, Blames Obama For NASA Spacecraft Snub
As the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and New Yorkers cheered over getting the NASA shuttle Enterprise, there were some unhappy campers—specifically ones in Texas. NASA also announced the shuttle Endeavor will go to LA's California Science Center, the Discovery will go to the Smithsonian and the Atlantis will go to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Texas Congressman John Culberson (R) said, "It is sad and unfortunate that politics played such an obvious role in the placement of theses retiring Orbiters. The thought of an Orbiter not coming home to rest at Space Center Houston is truly tragic. It is analogous to Detroit without a Model-T, or Florence without a da Vinci."
We Have Liftoff: Shuttle Enterprise Is Coming To The Intrepid!
While NASA still hasn't made an official announcement, sources say that the Shuttle Enterprise will be landing in New York City! It's final trip will have it landing on the deck of the Intrepid (okay, so it will probably be towed there), where later today they'll be screening the official announcement on a 40-foot wall.
Countdown To NASA's Space Shuttle Announcement
Tomorrow NASA will finally be announcing who will receive their retiring space shuttles. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has been lobbying for one for a while now, and they just informed us that tomorrow they're offering free admission to anyone who wears a space-themed piece of clothing. They'll also be broadcasting "NASA’s historic announcement" on a 40-foot-wall there; that's currently scheduled to happen between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Some Top Secret Tips About The Intrepid's Massive Concert This September
On September 17th "THE INTREPID WILL ROCK LIKE NEVER BEFORE!" Or at least since its day as a World War II aircraft carrier? Either way, It's an ALL CAPS event! According to the press release we received, the night will have a strong focus on music, and include some of "today's top recording artists" coming together for an unprecedented concert event.
The Intrepid Gets LEGO'd
There are few greater things than when New York City—or one of its little corners—gets a LEGO treatment, and today it was announced that on April 15th artist Ed Diment will begin creating a 22-foot-long, 550-pound model of the USS Intrepid out of LEGO bricks. He will be on site the 15th and 16th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., during which time he'll also be teaching kids how to build smaller ships. But will he include a space shuttle?
Watch Discovery's Final Launch Today!
Today at 4:50 p.m., the Space Shuttle Discovery will launch into an 11-day mission to the International Space Station, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will be the the final flight of the shuttle, which will hopefully be retiring in New York City. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is still trying to win the bid for the Discovery (or one of the other two shuttles retiring, the Endeavor and Atlantis); you can sign their petition to bring it to the city here.
Can An Amended Bill Mean NYC Gets A Space Shuttle?
Apparently our fight for one of the retired space shuttles hadn't been going very well, despite spirited lobbying efforts. The campaign to bring a shuttle to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hadn't been gaining altitude, according to City Room, because of a bill limiting the contenders to sites that had a historical relationship with the shuttle program. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand may have come to the rescue, however—Gillibrand has amended the qualifications to include applicants that had been involved in “the retrieval of NASA manned space vehicles." And with that, New York back in the game! The Intrepid used to pick astronauts out of the sea after they'd land there in their space capsules.
Intrepid Close To Landing Space Shuttle
Is a space shuttle on its way to NYC? After much rallying to get a retired space shuttle on deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space museum, it may actually be happening. The Daily News reports that Senator Chuck Schumer believes the city will win one of the shuttles from NASA. Allegedly a few sources have told him that the Intrepid is ahead in the game of landing one, and he said yesterday, "I believe we are in good shape. It's not a done deal, but the arguments we have made about why the shuttle belongs in New York are resonating."
Heads Up: F-16 Flyovers Today
If you see some fighter jets over the west side of Manhattan, don't freak out: WABC 7 reports, "On Aug. 23 from 3-4 p.m., Two F-16s from the United States Aerial Demonstration Team, The Thunderbirds, will be making multiple practice flights over the Intrepid for flyover preparation the following day. On Aug. 24 at 10:35 a.m., ...The Thunderbirds will conduct a six-ship flyover of the Intrepid to commence the official start of Air Force Week. The team will be flying in an FAA approved holding pattern from 10:15 a.m. until the flyover." And then on Wednesday, August 25, a HH-60 Pavehawk will land on the the Intrepid around 11 a.m.
Take That, ESB: Intrepid Will Honor Mother Teresa
The USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum will go where the Empire State Building fears to tread on August 26th, lighting up blue and white in honor of Mother Teresa's 100th birthday. The museum's executive director, Susan Marenoff, told the Post, "We'd be thrilled to represent what Mother Teresa has done in terms of public service. We are the essence of public service. We give back every day." However, she had no harsh words for Empire State Building owner Andrew Malkin, who says the building doesn't honor religious figures with its lights. "Every venue has the right to decide what is appropriate for them. I think it is appropriate and very relevant for us."
Former Intrepid President Has Been Under Investigation
Turns out Bill White, who abruptly quit as president of the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum yesterday, has been under investigation in Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's state pension-fund probe. White had been at the museum for 20 years, and said stepping down wasn't an easy decision, but gave no details as to why he was leaving.
Intrepid President Calls It Quits
After 20 years as president of the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, this morning Bill White resigned without warning for reasons the NY Times reports were not clear. His departure means he's also leaving his positions at two charitable organizations that raise money for inured servicemen, the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Intrepid Relief Fund. In a statement, White said: “These are institutions to which I have dedicated the last 20 years... This has not been an easy decision for me, but I feel the time has come for me to pursue new challenges with similar goals.” The Wall Street Journal points out his resignation comes days before the start of Fleet Week, the Intrepid's biggest event of the year. Let's hope his departure doesn't stop us from getting a space shuttle!
Space Nerds Unite For Shuttle Rally!
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum took its rally for a space shuttle underground today, to the shuttle train out of Grand Central. Gov. Paterson, Borough Presidents Scott Stringer (Manhattan) and Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn), Intrepid Museum President Bill White and a lot of space shuttle enthusiasts gathered to ask NASA to gift us one of their retired space shuttles (you can sign the petition here). How can they say no to that face?
The Intrepid Needs You!
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum's campaign for a space shuttle is still going strong! And tomorrow, you can join them in solidarity. They're "inviting New Yorkers to publicly show their passion for space exploration. Please join us—dressed up as your favorite space themed character—as we ride the S train shuttle from Grand Central Terminal to Times Square." Can't argue with their fervor, a retired space shuttle would be a lot cooler than the subway shuttle.
Local Astronaut Wants Shuttle In NYC
There's more rallying around bringing a space shuttle to NYC. The Intrepid is still waiting it out to see if they'll be delivered one of the three space shuttles from NASA next year—up for grabs are the Endeavour, Atlantis and Discovery. The Daily News talked to one local, 47-year-old Mike Massimino—an astronaut himself! He told the paper, "I would love to see one there. I think that would be a great place for it. A lot of people live in New York, and a lot of people visit New York, so that's a pretty good argument." While the big delivery wouldn't be made til next year, NASA says they are close to deciding if one will be coming our way. You can help out by signing the museum's petition, which has already been signed by nearly 50,000.
NYC Still Lobbying For Space Shuttle
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.
Snow-Covered Intrepid
The folks at the Intrepid just sent us over some real-time photos of the Sea, Air & Space Museum's flight deck being blanketed in snow. That won't stop them from staying open, however—they're in the midst of Kids Week, so any parents willing to brave the snow, check out their list of activities (today's theme is Broadway). And for everyone else, if you get any cool shots of the snow where you are, send 'em our way (or tag them "Gothamist" on Flickr).
It's The Great Pumpkin, NYC
Hopefully Linus knows his way to the Intrepid, because there is a Great Pumpkin on deck right now. Sculptor Patrick Moser, who has multiple sclerosis and cannot use his right arm, will spend nearly five days transforming a 932-pound pumpkin into what he calls a “Grumpkin.” He scooped out the insides yesterday, and today through Friday the public is welcome to drop by, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and see him work on the carving. It will also be on display over the weekend. Can't wait to see it all lit up! Wonder how many candles that will take.

