Landing the Space Shuttle in Manhattan

The effort to bring one of NASA's space shuttles to Manhattan appears to be gaining momentum. Manhattan is the perfect destination for a Space Shuttle, and NASA should listen carefully to leaders in New York City as they seek to secure a Space Shuttle for the Intrepid Museum.

Intrepid Museum

All New Yorkers can be very proud of the Intrepid Museum. It is a jewel and an example of what makes Manhattan the best place in the world. It now welcomes one million visitors each year and continues to innovate and impress.

The Intrepid Museum web site describes its history extremely well.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of America’s leading historic, cultural and educational institutions. Opened in 1982, the Museum has welcomed more than 10 million visitors. The Museum is centered on the aircraft carrier Intrepid (CVS-11), one of the most successful ships in US history, and now a national historic landmark and one of the most unique attractions in New York City. In 1943, Intrepid was commissioned and served proudly in World War II. She went on to serve as one of the primary recovery vessels for NASA, three tours of duty off Vietnam, and submarine surveillance in the North Atlantic during the Cold War. Today she continues her service as a premiere educational center and a monument to all who have served our nation in uniform.

The Intrepid also has a special place in Black History. During World War II, when the US military was still racially segregated, African American volunteers in the US Navy were assigned a battle station on the Intrepid. These African American Navy volunteers bravely defended the Intrepid during combat in the Philippines, and ten of the volunteers were killed in battle.

Landing the Space Shuttle

New York's elected officials and even Arizona Senator John McCain (who served on the Intrepid) have called upon NASA to choose Manhattan as the destination for one of the Space Shuttles when the Shuttles go into retirement.

The New York Daily News has offered its support for the idea.

Yesterday, Senator Gillibrand was joined by Senator Schumer aboard the Intrepid to highlight the strengths of the plan to bring a Space Shuttle to Manhattan.

The logic and the logistics lend strong support to the effort to bring a Space Shuttle to Manhattan and to the Intrepid. NASA is seeking locations with large numbers of visitors and where the Space Shuttles can be enjoyed in an attractive environment. NASA also needs a long run-way to land a Space Shuttle on the back of a special jumbo jet, and JFK can provide the needed length.

Please sign the petition to bring a Space Shuttle to Manhattan and to NYC. The Intrepid is the right place for a Space Shuttle, and Manhattan is the proud home of the Intrepid.