The shuttle will be displayed in a $100 million dollar facility at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

By Meagan McGone

mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com

In July, Space Shuttle Atlantis pulled into port at the Kennedy Space Center for the last time, signifying the end of NASA's 30-year space shuttle program. Now, Atlantis will prepare for its next mission: to preserve the history of U.S. space exploration and provide inspiration for Americans.

The shuttle will be the highlight of a $100 million exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex set to open in the summer of 2013. A groundbreaking ceremony held on Jan. 18 introduced plans for the new, 65,000-square-foot home of Atlantis to a crowd of more than 100 people.

"Where (Atlantis) once expanded man's knowledge in space, now she will expand our knowledge here on Earth," said Janet Petro, deputy director of the Kennedy Space Center, in a speech at the ceremony. "She will teach everyone who visits her about the space shuttle program and what it has meant to NASA, America and all of us here at the Kennedy Space Center."

Ms. Petro's words were accompanied by speeches from Chris Ferguson, the commander of Atlantis' final flight, as well as Bill Moore, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll; and Jeremy Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Delaware North Companies.

According to the Kennedy Space Center's website, www.kennedyspacecenter.com, the exhibit will be the highlight of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's 10-year plan proposed by the complex's operator, Delaware North Companies. It will offer guests an up-close display of Atlantis as if it were traveling in orbit, with open cargo bay doors and an extended Canadarm, the crane-like arm primarily used to transport payloads.

Other interactive mediums and further plans for the exhibit will be revealed in phases as the project continues, said Andrea Farmer, the public relations manager for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

She said the funding for the new home of the orbiter comes from ticket, food and retail sales at the visitor complex.

With regular admission into the park, guests will be able to enjoy the Atlantis exhibit, Ms. Farmer said.

NASA decided to showcase Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex after holding a national competition to determine the display locations of the agency's three space shuttles last April. Endeavor will be housed at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, while Discovery will make its way to Virginia's Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center.

"In April, we waited with anticipation for the announcement that Atlantis would be making its home right here where it belongs at the Kennedy Space Center," Mr. Jacobs said at the ceremony. "It is an honor to create the home for Space Shuttle Atlantis and to work with NASA to tell its story to the world."

Mr. Ferguson said that Atlantis will serve as a "reminder of the limitless potential of the citizens of the United States of America."

During his speech, he told the crowd that aerospace companies such as The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Space Exploration Technologies and Sierra Nevada Corporation are working to return U.S. astronauts to space by using American-built spacecraft.

"Atlantis' mission in space is over, but its mission to inspire generations of potential space travelers is just beginning," he said. "I would like you all to stay tuned as we turn to the next chapter on the journey that will never end."