Historic Astronaut Training Centrifuge Up For Sale in Bucks

A piece of space history that's been on display in Bucks County, Pa. is headed to the auction block on Ebay -- but it will take several million dollars for the "sold" sign to go up on this one-of-a-kind item.

KYW's Brad Segall explains that the US military used the Johnsville centrifuge to train Navy pilots, then NASA used it to train early astronauts for space travel.

The world's largest human centrifuge still sits in Warminster, and now the owner wants to sell it along with all of its components, research tools, and artifacts.

The auction starts at $12 million.

Tim Lederman of Swift Sell It in Doylestown is working with owner Sam Cravero.   Lederman says that Ebay gives them worldwide buzz for such a unique collection. He adds that they might find a museum that wants to make this the crown jewel of their collection:

"No one could give us any idea how much the building was worth, how much the centrifuge was worth, because it's a one-of-a-kind item -- nothing like it is in the world.  If there is someone out there and they're going to pay five million, they're probably going to pay 12 million, and we'd rather not undersell it."

Who might be interested? Owner Sam Cravero speculates:

"Possibly an aerospace company (will) come in, maybe use it as an office headquarters and continue the museum efforts that are underway here.  And if not them, maybe a college or university."

The museum is open on Sundays but they've had trouble raising money to keep it going.

The site has an historic designation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.