# Fixing the Shuttle?  Get Your Supplies at Wal-Mart!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-shuttle-get-your-supplies-at-wal-mart/206546>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 9, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-shuttle-get-your-supplies-at-wal-mart/206546 "2003-10-09T21:54:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-shuttle-get-your-supplies-at-wal-mart/206546/1 "2003-10-09T21:54:09Z")

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It’s the most complex machine ever built, and it turns out one of the best things for working on it is a **[.49 cent paint brush purchased at Wal-Mart!!](http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/shuttle_brush_031009.html)**

> [@](#):
>
> "This thing turns out to be one of the most valuable tools we could have invented,’’ said Sean O’Keefe, head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "We’re going to buy it at Wal-Mart. We’re not going to ask the Defense Department to requisition it out of stock.’’

I’m not really sure how to respond to this. I mean, I think it’s great that the folks at NASA have figured out a really cheap way to fix the shuttle, at the same time, I’m kind of let down because of _it’s so freakin’ simple and not nerdy or high tech at all!!!_