(Texas Scorecard) – A provision to move Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston is included in the approved Senate version of the federal government’s budget legislation commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The proposal, titled the “Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act,” was added to the legislation by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R–TX). If it survives the reconciliation process with the U.S. House and is signed by the president, NASA’s retired Space Shuttle Discovery would be relocated from the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to Space Center Houston, Johnson Space Center’s official visitor center.
This latest effort follows controversy dating back to 2011, when NASA selected retirement locations for its shuttle fleet, notably bypassing Houston despite the city’s longstanding role as home to Mission Control and astronaut training.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden indicated that projected visitor numbers influenced the decision to allocate shuttles to Florida, California, New York, and Virginia instead of Houston.
Discovery, which completed 39 missions before its retirement, was assigned to the Smithsonian in Virginia. It remains the only orbiter still federally owned, making it eligible for relocation through congressional legislation.
Cornyn’s bill, also championed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R–TX), requires NASA and the Smithsonian to draft a relocation plan within 90 days of its passage, with relocation to be completed within 18 months. However, significant logistical challenges have emerged.
Both of the original Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, historically used to transport shuttles, have been retired and permanently grounded.
Alternative transport methods—such as a barge or overland transit—could pose technical risks, including potential damage to Discovery’s fragile heat tiles.
Additionally, a Smithsonian estimate places the potential cost of relocation between $300 and $400 million, exceeding the Senate bill’s allocated $85 million.
Officials at Space Center Houston, who have previous experience relocating shuttle replicas and space artifacts, have expressed caution, citing preservation concerns and the risks associated with moving a historical artifact.
Despite these challenges, Cruz and Cornyn continue to advocate strongly for the shuttle’s move to Houston.
Both senators argue the relocation would rectify a historical oversight and emphasize the city’s crucial contributions to American human space exploration.
“It’s past time that the Space Center Houston Museum houses a space shuttle, given the unique relationship between the entire program and its support staff in Houston.” Cruz stated in April.