Congressional delegation makes last push for Seattle shuttle

Artist's depiction of a space shuttle in the new gallery now under
construction. NASA will announce next week if Seattle will be the
 new home of one of the retiring orbiters.
Photo courtesy Museum of Flight.

The congressional delegation from the state of Washington isn’t often unanimous on an issue, but today all 11 of them signed on to a letter to NASA administrator Charlie Bolden urging him to select Seattle’s Museum of Flight as the the permanent home for one of the space agency’s retiring space shuttle orbiters.

It turns out the delegation are big boosters of the museum and its shuttle effort. The letter reads in part:

The Museum of Flight is truly first in class in reputation and museum leadership, and has an unwavering dedication to its educational mission. The facility has been an outstanding curator to some of our nation’s most significant aerospace accomplishments. The Museum of Flight is a source of pride to all of us in Washington state and we are confident that no other facility in the world can match the Museum’s ability to preserve and utilize an orbiter in a manner befitting its historical importance.

Bolden is to announce a decision about the future home of the shuttles next Tuesday, April 12. The Museum of Flight is one of a couple of dozen that have been bidding for a shuttle. This Space.com article from Monday runs down some of the top contenders and pros and cons of each.

The letter also notes that a new Space Gallery to house a shuttle and other out-of-this-world artifacts is already under construction, and reminds Bolden of the Seattle area’s important contributions to the shuttle program and to aerospace in general.
The missive concludes with a strong appeal:

We are confident that the Museum of Flight is an ideal home for a Space Shuttle Orbiter. These important national artifacts deserve to be well cared for in a historically-relevant environment, to have their history told accurately and in an engaging manner, and to inspire the next generation of aerospace workers. No facility is better suited than the Museum of Flight.

The letter was signed by Senators Murray and Cantwell, and Representatives Inslee, Larsen, Herrera Beutler, Hastings, McMorris Rodgers, Dicks, McDermott, Reichert, and Smith.

We note that Bolden visited the Museum of Flight in February, and that one of his former astronaut colleagues, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, is the former president and CEO of the museum and is now devoting her time to the shuttle effort. Perhaps the connection has improved the museum’s chances to land the prize.