NASA slashes prices on retired space shuttles for sale

Space Shuttle Discovery lands. NASA is selling 1970s-era spaceships once they are retired from service. (Reed Saxon/associate Press)

-- Hamil R. Harris

FLORIDA

NASA slashes price on shuttles for sale

Here's a recession bargain: the space shuttle. NASA has slashed the price of the 1970s-era spaceships from $42 million to $28.8 million apiece.

The shuttles are for sale once they quit flying, supposedly this fall. When NASA put out the call to museums, schools and others in December 2008, seeking buyers, about 20 expressed interest. NASA spokesman Mike Curie expects more interest, what with the discount.

The space shuttle main engines are now free. NASA advertised them for $400,000 to $800,000 each in December 2008, but no one expressed interest. So now the engines are available, along with other shuttle artifacts, for the cost of transportation and handling.

-- Associated Press

Evacuation at JFK airport: A terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was evacuated and flghts were delayed Saturday after someone opened a door to a secure area and set off an alarm, officials said. The security breach apparently involved someone who left a first-class American Airlines lounge that was supposed to be used only by airport workers and walked through.

-- From news services