St. Cloud Prepares for Liftoff as Space Shuttle Replica Inspiration Lands in St. Cloud This Weekend

(KNSI) — Inspiration, a full-scale replica of a space shuttle orbiter, is nearing the end of its journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to its permanent home in St. Cloud.

The 140-foot truck carrying Inspiration’s 25-ton fuselage, along with another vehicle transporting its support equipment, is expected to arrive in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 22nd.

Eight additional truckloads of Inspiration parts have already arrived and been stored. The piece is set to become the centerpiece of a proposed non-profit educational “spaceport” designed for students and families.

Felicity-John Pederson, the owner of Inspiration and CEO of LVX System, has a vision to transform the vehicle into an immersive, virtual spaceflight experience. Pederson dreams of offering passengers a sensational journey through the Solar System, bringing destinations like Saturn to life through collected data and advanced technology.

Pederson plans to reassemble Inspiration inside a large dome, which will serve as the main attraction of the new educational “spaceport” complex which would feature three or four additional domes, each sponsored by a different partner, and showcase advancements and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Because of St. Cloud’s unique location, the “spaceport” would be accessible to millions throughout the Midwest.

Minnesota State Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-14), who represents the St. Cloud area, enthusiastically talked about the project’s potential. “The governor has expressed excitement about having a ‘space shuttle’ in Minnesota, and we’re already engaging with others in the state,” said Putnam. “I’m just thrilled by the opportunity to inspire our young people to be more ambitious and have big ideas, big hope.”

Pederson’s next steps include developing detailed plans for outfitting Inspiration and its dome with the necessary technology, collaborating with local officials to find a suitable location for it and attracting partners dedicated to educating and inspiring young people about space exploration. Pederson is particularly excited about the initial interest from a major national airline. “Inspiration would ‘fly’ you to places an airline can’t!”

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