TASM Looks to Aquire Retired Space Shuttle
TULSA IN FLIGHT: Tulsa has requested to receive one of three retired space shuttles. From left, Executive Director of TASM Jim Bridestine and Oklahoma Astronaut John Harrington.
NASA is looking to permanently place all three retiring Space Shuttles at museums and educational institutions. The Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium (TASM) has responded to NASA’s Request for Information (RFI) regarding the placement of a retired Space Shuttle. TASM’s response to NASA’s RFI includes letters of endorsement from Mayor Kathy Taylor, Senator Tom Coburn, Senator Jim Inhofe, Congressman John Sullivan, Governor Brad Henry, OSU President Burns Hargis, Oklahoma Astronaut John Herrington and Oklahoma Astronaut William Pogue.
Jim Bridenstine, executive director of TASM, believes Tulsa meets the requirements. “NASA is looking to place a Space Shuttle at a museum or educational institution that is on an 8,000ft. to 10,000ft. runway. TASM uniquely fits this description. NASA also would like to feel confident that the institution can move and handle a Space Shuttle after delivery. With the great aerospace firms situated on Tulsa International Airport, this city could proudly take delivery of a Space Shuttle and NASA would never have to worry about it again.”
Bridenstine believes NASA will look favorably upon Tulsa’s long history of supporting America’s space agenda. Tulsa created the Delta Program, which launched America’s first satellites into orbit. Tulsa built Saturn Rockets, which launched America’s first astronauts into orbit and eventually to the moon. Tulsa built major portions of the lunar modules, which landed Americans on the moon. Tulsa built the bay doors on the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Tulsa modified the Space Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (Boeing 747). Tulsa built the Space Shuttle Mate-Demate devices, which lift the Shuttle vertical for the launch pad and placement on the 747 Carrier Aircraft. Tulsa built all eleven-truss structures on the International Space Station. The ISS is the largest man made device in space. Tulsa built the Integrated Electrical Assemblies, which maneuver the solar arrays to power the ISS.
TASM’s vision includes a state-of-the-art facility designed by Tulsa’s own KPI architects. Alex Kindred, Vice President of KPI, believes Tulsa’s vision for displaying a Space Shuttle will be unmatched by others competing in the process. “It is our privilege to be the architect of record and to stand with the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in their resolve to build the most state-of-the-art museum in which to showcase Tulsa’s rich history with space flight.”
The Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium honors and celebrates the city’s rich aviation heritage as well as its future in the aerospace industry and space exploration. TASM has 19,000 feet of exhibit space, a library, hands-on educational displays, and a planetarium. The planetarium is the only one in the region to show digital movies on a 50 foot dome as well as live astronomical shows by an astronomer. The Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium is a nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible. It is located on the north side of Tulsa International Airport at 3624 N. 74th E. Ave., Tulsa OK, 74115. For more information, visit www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.com or call (918) 834-9900.
Updated 04-15-2010
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