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.
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Results tagged “spaceshuttle”
Space Shuttle Enterprise Is Now Officially A New Yorker, Says NASA
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).
End Of An Era: Five Space Shuttle Moments Worth Revisiting
Break out the astronaut ice cream, it's the end of an era. As of today, NASA's space shuttle program has come to end, with Atlantis returning to earth. Reuters reports that NASA workers lined the runway at the Kennedy Space Center before dawn greet the crew, and shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach says, "I saw grown men and grown women crying today... Human emotions came out the runway today. You couldn't suppress them."
Final Shuttle Astronauts Treated To Some R.E.M. In Space
The four astronauts of the final space shuttle mission were greeted by R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe while on board Atlantis. From earth, Stipe sang them part of "Man On The Moon," acapella. He then told them:
From Urine Water To Astronaut Ice Cream: A Look Back At How The Shuttle Program Changed Food
When Atlantis—which launched for a final time earlier today—returns to Earth in a couple of weeks, NASA will retire its shuttle program. Are you feeling nostalgic? Let's take a look back at some of the great traditions of astronaut food, which will certainly continue as we enter the era of deep-space exploration. Click through for some of our favorite "future foods", but first, some fun facts:
Getting To Know NYC's Space Shuttle: The Enterprise
As America's space vehicles are launched into retirement, and the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum anticipates its very own shuttle, the Enterprise, the press is busy kicking its tires... or at least reflecting back on the glory days. For the shuttle Enterprise, there really aren't that many exciting stories (except that time the cast of Star Trek came to visit) because it never orbited space. However, this week the NY Post had astronaut Richard Truly pen a thoughtful look back at the Enterprise's days with NASA.
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?
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.
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."
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.
See the Space Station Tonight?
Chris from the Boiled Peanut blog in Cincinnati points out that the Space Station could be seen above the Ohio city Sunday night, and according to NASA it'll be visible above New York City tonight! NASA has set up an entire page so you can find all space sightings that will take place world wide. Keep your eyes peeled around 8:42 p.m. tonight—our weather go-to-guy Joe Schumacher tells us, "I think there's a good chance the skies will be clear." But you know, there's always light pollution blocking us from seeing the sky's offerings. If there is no visibility, there's always the Urban Space Station, which will be completed in 2010. Except that'll be at NYU, which is way less exciting.
Can Biden Bring the Space Shuttle to NYC?
Count Senator Charles Schumer amongst those who want the space shuttle Atlantis to retire at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Following NASA's announcement that they will send three space shuttles to institutions around the country, the Intrepid put their name in the hat. It's now being reported that "Schumer said Sunday he is supporting the Intrepid's bid for a space shuttle and he has appealed to Vice President Joe Biden to make it happen." If it all goes down, the shuttle would be housed in a glass enclosure at the end of Pier 86 around 2012.
Intrepid Reaches for the Stars, Space Shuttle
Could the space shuttle Atlantis land in the Hudson? The folks at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum are crossing their fingers. The NY Times reports that they envision the shuttle, which took hold of the Hubble Space Telescope yesterday, housed in a glass enclosure at the end of Pier 86. They are just "one of 20 institutions that responded by a March 17 deadline to ask NASA about its plan to give away the last of the shuttles: Discovery, Endeavour and Atlantis."
Quick Lick of Warm Air Possible Today
If we are lucky Mother Nature will give us a warm weather quickie this afternoon. A warm front has brought fog and drizzle to town this morning. A heavier shower or two may occur before early afternoon. A cold front is quickly catching up to the warm front and will sweep away any moisture once it arrives early this evening. A narrow tongue of warm air may snake its way up between the two fronts and give northeastern New Jersey and the western portions of the city a quick licking. If that happens the temperature will briefly zip into the lower 60s. If that doesn't happen the highs will be in the mid 50s.
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