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radarredux
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It looks like the fight has started as to where the orbiters will go upon retirement.<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>May 9<br /> <br />California Politician Seeks Display Rights for Atlantis Orbiter<br /><br />California Assemblywoman Sharon Runner has introduced a Joint Resolution that, if passed, would transmit an official request to the President and leaders of Congress to grant Palmdale as the future and permanent home of space shuttle Atlantis.<br /> <br />Runner's resolution is the result of a NASA briefing that suggested it will ground Atlantis in 2008, rather than put it through a required maintenance period that could exceed the end of the shuttle program in 2010. As it is written however, the bill would appear to neglect existing requirements for how NASA must dispose of artifacts and its agreement for their transfer to the Smithsonian.<br /> <br />Runner's reasons outlined in the bill for Atlantis to move to Palmdale include the city's history as where all of NASA's orbiters were first assembled, and to allocate room at Kennedy Space Center for future exploration vehicles. "It just makes sense for Atlantis to return home to Palmdale," said Runner. "This resolution is an important step in the process. It will demonstrate that California is united behind Palmdale as the proper location."<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />http://www.space.com/astronotes/astronotes.html