Thu May 14, 2009 11:26 am
Hi James!
The rendering that they have seems to show a glass hangar that I would assume is completely enclosed and protected from the weather. I just wondered if such an enclosure, on a pier extending into a saltwater environment, would be an ideal situation for the shuttle. The glass would also have to be the new type of glass that completely eliminates UV light and cuts the visible spectrum to a minimum to protect the shuttle. I would think that they would also have trouble convincing the Smithsonian to cough up extra exhibits (space suits etc.) for that enclosure that would definitely be needed to add to the shuttle's display. Just my unasked-for two cents.
kevin
The rendering that they have seems to show a glass hangar that I would assume is completely enclosed and protected from the weather. I just wondered if such an enclosure, on a pier extending into a saltwater environment, would be an ideal situation for the shuttle. The glass would also have to be the new type of glass that completely eliminates UV light and cuts the visible spectrum to a minimum to protect the shuttle. I would think that they would also have trouble convincing the Smithsonian to cough up extra exhibits (space suits etc.) for that enclosure that would definitely be needed to add to the shuttle's display. Just my unasked-for two cents.
kevin
Thu May 14, 2009 3:01 pm
tulsaboy wrote:Hi James!
The rendering that they have seems to show a glass hangar that I would assume is completely enclosed and protected from the weather. I just wondered if such an enclosure, on a pier extending into a saltwater environment, would be an ideal situation for the shuttle. The glass would also have to be the new type of glass that completely eliminates UV light and cuts the visible spectrum to a minimum to protect the shuttle. I would think that they would also have trouble convincing the Smithsonian to cough up extra exhibits (space suits etc.) for that enclosure that would definitely be needed to add to the shuttle's display. Just my unasked-for two cents.
kevin
I can't imagine that an all glass building could meet NASA's requirements and no curator would seriously consider the display of real space suits with virtually direct, even though filtered, sunlight. The long term environmental conditions would be a nightmare for preservation of both the Shuttle and other artifacts without something on the order of a clean room setup. A nice dry desert would be a vastly superior choice.
James
Thu May 14, 2009 3:14 pm
And see, here I was thinking that a location right in the middle of the country, away from all of that unfortunate saltwater and that nasty heat you have out there would be a better choice. 
kevin
kevin