For sale: 4,100 ton Nasa Shuttle launch platforms - buyer must collect Originally built in 1967 for the Apollo moon missions, they were later modified for launching space shuttles at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. REUTERS/Scott Audette The spacecraft and rockets were mounted on the platform before being slowly rolled to the launch pad site on giant caterpillar tracks. Each platform weights 4,100 tons and are around two stories high. They consist of a series of walkways, compartments, electrical wiring and plumbing, according to Nasa. The hollow structures also each have three "flame holes," where the jets from launching rockets vented. However, the launch platform comes without the 390 foot tall service structure that allowed astronauts to enter their spacecraft and engineers to conduct last minute checks. Although Nasa has made no mention of how much it expects to make from the auction of the platforms, it cost the agency $234 million (£150 million) to design and build a new mobile launcher. It is thought that Nasa will consider leasing the platforms or selling them outright, at a cost of tens of millions. The platforms were at one point being considered for an upgrade to assist Nasa's future manned space flight plans, but after budget cuts and the shelving of the Constellation programme it now no longer has used for them. The platforms were originally built for the launch of the Saturn rocket carrying the Apollo moon missions (Nasa) Every year Nasa sells off around $400 million (£256 million) of surplus equipment, including electronics, test equipment, vehicles, hardware, and aircraft parts. It also offers rare historic items to museums - with tyres from the space shuttle and space suit gloves among the items currently up for grabs. Recently an original camera used in the Moon landings was put up for auction, but Nasa has also clamped down on items going on sale on eBay after a series of rows over ownership. Among the most prized items to have been up for grabs recently were Nasa's three retired space shuttles at a price of £17.7 million each. Two were eventually given to American museums. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Nasa is now also accepting bids for its shuttle launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space station. Elon Musk's SpaceX and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have submitted competing bids for this. Other equipment is sold off in eBay-style auctions through the US Government's General Services Administration Auction site. For more expensive equipment, bidders can look at the Federal Business Opportunities site, where Nasa posts its more expensive items for sale. For its latest sale, Nasa suggests three options for those who might be interested in purchasing the mobile launch platforms. The first would see a commercial space company or foreign country using them to launch their own rockets. Officials said they would also consider "innovative solutions" that would benefit the general public - such as turning them into museum exhibits or artificial reefs. In an official Request for Information announcing the auction, Nasa said: "NASA Kennedy Space Center is soliciting information and/or concepts relating to traditional and non-traditional reuse or disposal options for the former Apollo and Space Shuttle Mobile Launch Platforms. These large structures are no longer in use at KSC, and currently there is not a foreseeable Agency need. NASA currently has no appropriated funds for any divestment option. Kennedy Space Center is interested to understand whether there are alternative and innovative solutions for divestment of the MLPs. Interested parties should consider options that benefit the general public, the environment, or entities not associated with the space industry (e.g. museum exhibit (s), artificial reef (s), oil rig structure, etc). Perhaps the saddest suggestion it offers for use of these pieces of space exploration history is that they could be sold for scrap and salvage - an option that would see them broken apart and their metal recycled. A Saturn rocket carrying one of the Apollo moon missions (Nasa) Prospective buyers are being invited to visit Kennedy Space Centre to inspect the platforms at the end of August and bids have to be in by September 6. What is still unclear is whether Nasa will be covering the postage and packaging of the platforms or whether it will be a case of "buyer must collect." Who might buy the platforms: Nigeria - The fledgling National Space Research and Development Agency has used Chinese and Russian launch vehicles to put its satellites into space. However the government announced its intentions to develop its own space launcher from a spaceport by 2025. Elon Musk - The PayPal co-founder's SpaceX company is one of the leading commercial space ventures. He is already bidding for the Kenney Space Centre Launch Complex 39A. His Falcon 9 rockets currently launch from a leased launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Jeff Bezos - The Amazon founder has set up a private space company called Blue Origin. It is developing technology to send humans into space and is bidding against Musk for Launch Complex 39A. Morris Architects - Two years ago this US based form of architects unveiled plans to turn a disused oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico into a luxury hotel. The Mobile Launch Platform could provide an even more exclusive, and portable, address. Chinese casinos - China has in the past purchased two Russian aircraft carriers and converted them into casinos, so perhaps the future Mobile Launch Platform could provide a novel home for games of roulette and poker. However, one aircraft carrier shell bought by China for use as a Casino was secretly converted into the People's Liberation Army Navy's first operational aircraft carrier, so the US may have doubts about their designs.