NASA announced a new artifact loan program today that will kick off with the chance for organizations that don’t normally work with NASA to get artifacts on a loan basis. The first loan item will be tires from the main landing gear of the space shuttle fleet. Some of the tires available for loan were even flown on missions.

NASA says that the tires will be made available to proposing organizations best meeting the agency’s goals of education and outreach. NASA has a form on its website for interested organizations to apply for a loan.

NASA says that the long term loan of these items may be used to educate through art, sculpture, furniture, building structures, exhibits and other innovative uses. The proposal deadline is June 11, 2008.

Via NASA