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Two retired NASA Space Shuttles closer to exhibition

by Joe Kleiman, IPM Online News Editor

Atlantis in Orbiter Processing Facility (NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis)

Cape Canaveral, FL, USA (January 16, 2012) — This week marks two significant events that will bring the space shuttle orbiters closer to public exhibition.

On Wednesday, groundbreaking will take place for the new shuttle exhibition building, the largest single project in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center’s history.  At a cost of more than $100 million, the 65,000 square foot facility will showcase the space shuttle Atlantis as if floating in space. The new exhibits are designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing Shuttle Launch Experience simulator attraction designed by BRC Imagination Arts. The new building is scheduled to open in 2013.

On Friday, Atlantis will be moved from the shuttle processing hangar to KSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building. The interior of the VAB has, on a limited basis, been included with recent KSC tours. However, that might change with Atlantis’ move into the facility. The relocation allows the Shuttle Endeavor to be placed inside the processing facilty for the transition to becoming a non-operable vehicle. Endeavor is scheduled to go on exhibit at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA. The third remaining shuttle, Discovery, is slated to go on public display at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, Chantilly, VA.


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Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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