The shuttles are to be retired by September 30 , 2010 , but they wo n't be available until about a year later , NASA spokesman Michael Curie said Thursday . NASA has need of museums and schools for properly maintained aircraft . However , Discovery and Endeavour will be retired by 2010 . Discovery has been offered to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum . The privilege of showing off a shuttle wo n't be cheap -- about $ 42 million .
NASA has need of museums and schools for properly maintained aircraft . However , Discovery and Endeavour will be retired by 2010 . Discovery has been offered to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum . The privilege of showing off a shuttle wo n't be cheap -- about $ 42 million .