▼ Summary
– A US senator criticized a proposal to move space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Texas, calling it a “heist” due to Texas losing a competition 12 years ago.
– Texas senators introduced the “Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act” to relocate Discovery to Space Center Houston, later embedding a provision in a broader bill signed into law.
– Senator John Cornyn celebrated the bill’s passage, arguing Houston deserves recognition as a cornerstone of US space exploration.
– Senator Dick Durbin raised concerns about the $85 million allocated for the move, stating it was insufficient for the task.
– The debate centers on the cost and justification for relocating Discovery, with Texas lawmakers pushing for the move and others opposing it.
The political battle over relocating Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Texas has intensified, with one senator calling the proposed move an expensive “heist” rather than a legitimate transfer. During a recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) strongly criticized efforts to move the historic spacecraft, arguing Texas lawmakers were attempting to override a fair competition held over a decade ago.
Earlier this year, Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduced legislation aimed at transferring Discovery from the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to Space Center Houston. The provision was later included in broader Senate legislation, which President Trump signed into law on July 4. Cornyn defended the move, stating Houston’s pivotal role in human spaceflight made it the rightful home for the retired orbiter.
However, Durbin raised significant concerns about the financial and logistical challenges of the relocation. He pointed out that while $85 million was allocated in the reconciliation bill for the move, the actual cost could far exceed that amount. “This isn’t just about moving a shuttle, it’s about dismantling and reassembling a priceless artifact,” he argued, suggesting the funds were insufficient for such a complex undertaking.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions over where major space artifacts should be displayed, with Texas lawmakers insisting Houston’s contributions to NASA’s shuttle program warrant the transfer. Meanwhile, critics view the effort as an unnecessary and costly relocation of a national treasure already accessible to millions of visitors in its current home.
(Source: Ars Technica)
