Government Shutdown Would Delay Announcement Of NASA Shuttle Coming To Adler Planetarium

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The Adler Planetarium's President, Paul Knappenberger, likes the odds that one of the Shuttle's will end up here because of the museum's strong partnership with NASA and the fact that Chicago is home to millions of people who could potentially visit.

"We proposed using the shuttle as a national treasure, artifact, if you will, to inspire school children and encourage school children to think about careers in engineering and technology and science," Knappenberger said.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Mike Krauser Reports

Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell, who lives in the northern suburbs, helped with the pitch.

"I believe the decision has been made," Knappenberger said.

All that's left, Knappenberger says, is the announcement, which will happen on Tuesday if there is no government shutdown.

"It just keeps us all on the edge of our seats," Knappenberger said.

For now, they're still planning to carry the NASA announcement on a big screen at the Planetarium on Tuesday.

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• Mike Krauser
• Adler Planetarium
• NASA