Four Democratic senators are challenging legislation that would relocate Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, calling the move an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars that risks damaging the historic spacecraft. The lawmakers, including former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, argue there’s “little evidence of broad public demand” for transferring the orbiter that completed 39 space missions.
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Bipartisan Opposition to Shuttle Relocation
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who flew two of his four space missions aboard Discovery, has joined Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia and Dick Durbin of Illinois in opposing the shuttle’s relocation. In a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, the senators requested blocking funding for the move in both the fiscal year 2026 Interior-Environment and Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bills. They emphasized that Discovery has been publicly displayed at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for 13 years, where millions of visitors have seen it free of charge.
“Why should hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars be spent just to jeopardize a piece of American history that’s already protected and on display?” Kelly wrote in a social media post. The senators’ opposition responds to a campaign by Texas Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, who successfully added language to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” enabling NASA to transfer Discovery to Space Center Houston. The provision includes $85 million for transportation and display, but the senators argue the actual costs could far exceed this amount.
Financial and Preservation Concerns
The senators raised significant financial concerns about the proposed relocation. According to their letter, the Smithsonian estimates transporting Discovery from Virginia to Houston could cost over $50 million, with an additional $325 million needed for planning, exhibit reconstruction, and new facilities. These figures substantially exceed the $85 million allocated in the legislation, potentially creating a massive unfunded mandate for taxpayers.
Beyond financial considerations, the lawmakers highlighted serious preservation risks. “Moving Discovery by barge or road would be far more complex than previous shuttle moves,” they wrote, noting the journey would expose the orbiter to saltwater, weather, and collision risks across a much longer route. The spacecraft’s aging heat tiles, which enabled repeated shuttle missions, are particularly fragile and irreplaceable. Any damage during transport could “permanently diminish its historical and cultural value for future generations,” according to the NASA documentation on shuttle preservation.
Accessibility and Public Interest Questions
The senators questioned whether moving Discovery would serve the public interest, noting that the Smithsonian provides free access while Space Center Houston charges admission. “The Smithsonian is unique among museums for providing visitors with access to a national treasure meant to inspire the American public without placing economic barriers,” they wrote. This distinction is particularly important for students, veterans, and families who might not afford admission fees at other institutions.
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Their letter also challenged the fundamental premise for the move, stating “there is little evidence of broad public demand for such a transfer.” While acknowledging Houston’s central role in NASA’s human spaceflight program, the senators argued that “removing an item from the National Collection is not a viable solution” to address historical disappointments about shuttle placement decisions. The Smithsonian’s fact sheet shows Discovery has attracted over 10 million visitors since its 2012 installation at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
Legal and Institutional Complications
The proposed transfer faces institutional hurdles beyond congressional approval. The Smithsonian asserts it holds title to Discovery and, as a trust instrumentality rather than a federal agency, the institution maintains the orbiter is no longer government property to be relocated. This legal stance could complicate enforcement of the legislative provision, potentially requiring additional legal resolution.
NASA has until January 4, 2027—18 months after the bill’s enactment—to complete the transfer to Space Center Houston. However, the senators’ opposition signals significant political hurdles ahead. The debate reflects broader tensions about the stewardship of national artifacts and the distribution of space program heritage across different NASA centers. According to the Government Accountability Office, similar artifact disputes have required extensive mediation in the past.
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