HOUSTON—With only three weeks left until NASA’s decision on which museums and organizations will be the permanent homes of retired space shuttles, Aggieland is abuzz with its final push for a chance at another piece of Texas history.
"Oh my gosh I am so excited," said Deborah Cowman, PhD, the executive director of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, as she reached for the space shuttle pendant she wears around her neck for good luck.
The museum in Bryan prides itself on a collection of fossils, relics, and artifacts dating back to the days when mammoths still roamed central Texas. But they hope their next acquisition will be a piece of Texas history that has travelled millions of miles around the world.
The museum, part of the Brazos Valley Shuttle Project, is in the running with more than 20 museums across the country to get one of the retired space shuttles. The museum joined in the Brazos Valley application process more than a year ago.
"The shuttle, in my opinion belongs, in sort of the pantheon of great American icons," said Zach Cummings of the Brazos Valley Shuttle Project. "It’s a unique piece of American history and it deserves a place of honor."
The place of honor they have proposed to NASA has a more central Texas location than the Johnson Space Center, has a history of Aggie astronauts and a university devoted to science and technology.
They plan to put the shuttle right next to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M. They also have the endorsement of President George H.W. Bush himself.
"Howdy," the president begins in a 30-second clip on YouTube. "I’m President George Bush and I invite you to participate in an exciting opportunity to obtain a retired space shuttle and display it at an expansion of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. This expanded museum of science and history would be located next to my presidential library and museum at Texas A&M. Please visit the museum’s website, bringtheshuttle.com, to learn how you can help support this important project."
Cowman said it was great having the president at the museum, especially considering how much he did for NASA when in office.
"…That’s a perfect tie in and a great way to honor the man," she said.
The official logo for the Aggieland effort to bring the shuttle to the Brazos Valley features outlines of prominent Bryan/College Station buildings, "Aggieland" in big bold letters and a silhouette of the shuttle flying over the Brazos Valley.
Cowman said they are ready and motivated to build the shuttle a state-of-the-art new home and science center.
"We just think we’re such a logical choice and we don’t really see ourselves as being in competition with Houston," she said. "We feel we’re close enough to Houston that we’re just basically helping Texas get a Shuttle. I believe our chances are very, very good."
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden is scheduled to make his choices public on April 12th.
