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The Space Shuttle Discovery, a reusable winged spaceship, launched on Oct. 28, 2007 with a seven-member crew. NASA image.

Chicago planetarium in the running for space shuttle

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson

The Space Shuttle Discovery, a reusable winged spaceship, launched on Oct. 28, 2007 with a seven-member crew. NASA image.
The Space Shuttle Discovery, a reusable winged spaceship, launched on Oct. 28, 2007 with a seven-member crew. NASA image.
CHICAGO (AP) – The president of the Adler Planetarium says the institution on Chicago’s lakefront is in the running to receive one of three soon-to-be retired space shuttles.

Adler president Paul Knappenberger said Wednesday that the Adler is one of 21 planetariums and museums around the nation under consideration by NASA.

The retiring shuttles are being offered to institutions that can raise an estimated $28.8 million to exhibit them correctly, and that can offer the best possible access to the public.

NASA’s decision about who will get shuttles is at least months away, as no choice will be made until after the final shuttle mission of the three active orbiters, Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

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AP-CS-05-19-10 2245EDT