Over 100
space shuttles will land this November at the Kennedy Space Center, though NASA can take credit for only one. The additional orbiters will be courtesy the
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which on Thursday formally announced the
"Shuttles Orbiting the Space Coast" program, a public art exhibit
organized to celebrate the first half-century of U.S. space exploration.
"It's
appropriate to celebrate NASA's 50th anniversary by showcasing its longest
running manned space vehicle — the space shuttle," said Linn LeBlanc, the
Foundation's Executive Director, in an e-mail to collectSPACE.com.
"There were discussions with several of our astronaut members, if the
vehicle should be shown in flight or fully-stacked, but it was unanimously
decided to show the
orbiter in all its glory — in flight!"
LeBlanc, as
well as several of the Foundation's astronaut board members and representatives
of Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism were at Kennedy
Space Center's Visitor Complex yesterday to reveal the 8-foot tall shuttle
statues, including the first to be painted, by Quiet Flight surfboard artist
Gina Razzano. Her design for the formerly all-white orbiter incorporated the U.S. flag, an American bald eagle and the Moon.
Other
artists can apply through June 30 to take part in the program and if selected
will be given six weeks to paint their design and a $1,000 honorarium in
return. Beginning on November 7 for one month, the 100 decorated shuttles will
be displayed at the visitor complex for public viewing.
Designed as
a fundraiser for the Foundation, which offers scholarships to college students
excelling in science and engineering degrees, the shuttles are to be sponsored
by companies and organizations in return for the opportunity to display them
elsewhere around Brevard County and the nation. Sponsorship levels range from
$2,800 to $20,000.
"There
are currently nine leading sponsors who signed on immediately — Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism,
Florida Today, Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa
Beach, Sunward Tours, Communications Concepts Inc. and ITT Corporation,"
explained LeBlanc.
From
December through June 2009, the fiberglass orbiters will go on display at
sponsors' chosen locations. For the higher level participants, astronauts will
accompany their shuttle statues for an unveiling ceremony.
Then in
July of next year, the shuttles will return to KSC for one last public display
before they go their separate ways.
"Some
of the space shuttle statues will be donated to schools and public venues,
while others will be auctioned for charity," shared LeBlanc, who added
that all proceeds will benefit the Foundation. A "Final Destination"
dinner will be held in August 2009 to sell the remaining statues.
The "Shuttles Orbiting the Space
Coast" follows previous public art statue programs including those in
the shape of cows, pandas, Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse and
Charles Schulz' Snoopy.
"Little
did we know how all-encompassing it would be — from developing a mold to
manufacturing the statues — it's been a magnificent ride and we are so excited
to be a part of Brevard County's first ever statue art program," said
LeBlanc.
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