Psst... Wanna Buy A Shuttle? Got $42 Mil?

NASA has issued a Request for Information, or RFI, seeking ideas from educational institutions, science museums and other appropriate organizations about the community's ability to acquire and publicly display the space shuttle orbiters and space shuttle main engines after the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program.

The RFI targets "educational institutions, science museums, and other appropriate organizations" which may benefit from displaying one of the three remaining shuttles. The space agency says it will use information gained from the RFI to develop strategies for eventual placement of two space shuttle orbiters and a minimum of six unassembled space shuttle main engine display "kits."

But, fair warning... if you want to put Endeavour in your hangar, it's gonna cost you.

"NASA estimates the total cost to be incurred by a recipient organization for safing one Orbiter, preparing it for final display, and delivery by ferry flight to a US destination airport at approximately $42 million," NASA writes in the nine-page RFI. "This $42 million estimate includes a $6 million cost to air ferry the Orbiter by Shuttle Carrier Aircraft from the Kennedy Space Center to a US destination airport... It does not take into account special measures that may be required in specific situations such as transporting the Orbiter long distances over public roadways which may require removal of light posts and traffic signals or transport by barge over water."

For the more budget-minded, NASA also plans to make at least six, non-flight-worthy unassembled or partially assembled but largely complete Space Shuttle Main Engines as early as mid-2009, with a complete static display of one engine available for between $400,000 - $800,000, less shipping.

The RFI doesn't specify what NASA plans to do with the money... though it's a safe bet the cash-strapped agency will use at least some of the money on its Constellation manned spacecraft program.

"While NASA's priority is flying the remaining Shuttle missions safely, because of the quantity, complexity, and dispersion of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) assets, successful Space Shuttle transition and retirement requires careful planning prior to program completion, currently scheduled for September 2010," the agency notes.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/transition