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[-=CROMAN=-]

What a crock of B.S. I can't believe they chose L.A. as one of the winners!

Texas = NASA Mission Control (No Brainer)

Ohio = National Museum of the United States Air Force (Wright Patterson)

Chicago = Chicago Astronomers, The Adler ( Great City, Great People, Great Lakefront )

Bad politics at play here. IMO the shuttle simulator they gave us is the door prize in this event. Come on Rahm! I thought you had more pull than this.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Not surprised.

No, not at all.

[Centaur]

Here’s what I wrote today to Adler President Paul Knappenberger:

Congratulations on getting the shuttle flight simulator! I really think the Adler got the best of the NASA giveaway.

[Paulie pchris00]

The shuttle flight simulator might be great to have, but the orbiters were the real prizes here.

I really thought Chicago had some great advantages in it's favor. Chicago is the heart of the midwest, and I thought they might be distributed somewhat geographically. Also, I thought Obama might pull some strings to get a shuttle to his hometown. And, of course, I can't think of many other settings where it would be so visually striking as on the Chicago lakefront. Adler is a renowned institution, capable of raising the considerable cash needed to bring a shuttle to the city.

What really upsets me is that the east coast was awarded THREE shuttles. Kennedy Space Center and the Smithsonian were pretty much given, but New York surprised me. I could have accepted losing out to someplace in the middle of the country, especially Houston, but NYC hurts. Losing to New York always sucks. (Unless it's the Mets ;D)

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hate to be a downer, but I didn't feel the vibe from the start.

Nuff said.

[Centaur]

I suspect that the president did not see it as politically correct for a shuttle to be given to his hometown. From Joe’s comments and those of Paul Knappenberger, that word must have gotten through to the Adler some time ago. Seeing a shuttle once may seem cool, but the simulator could be a more interesting hands-on exhibit that should keep visitors returning.