Smithsonian Air and Space Museum may lose Discovery shuttle

Tucked in the massive spending and tax bill, Texas senators added a provision funding the transport of Space Shuttle Discovery in Virginia to Houston.

DULLES, Va. — House Republicans narrowly pushed President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill over the final congressional hurdle Thursday, including a provision which would move Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston. 

Only two Republicans broke partisan lines, passing the measure in a vote of 218 to 214. 

Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have long advocated for the return of the Discovery to where it was commanded, in an area they called “an entity” near the Johnson Space Center.

Sen. Cornyn argued in a press release that Houston deserves the craft, as it “has long been the cornerstone of our nation’s human space exploration program.” 

In that same release, Sen. Cruz agreed, arguing the move would solidify Houston’s place as a symbol for American spaceflight. 

“Any future transfer of a flown, crewed space vehicle will prioritize locations that have played a direct and vital role in our nation’s manned space program, making Houston, Texas, a leading candidate,” Cruz said. 

To do this, the Texas senators allotted $85 million for the transport, which they believe will cover the costs. 

Virginia senators, however, are oppossed to the move. 

“What kind of message does it send to the American people when Republicans cut Medicaid and nutrition assistance funding that millions of people rely on, while simultaneously authorizing $85 million in taxpayer dollars to move a space shuttle halfway across the country,” said Sen. Tim Kaine. “This ridiculous transfer would make Americans pay a $30 fee to view a shuttle that they can see for free right now in Chantilly.”

The Smithsonian Institute, which was gifted the shuttle in 2012 and currently houses it in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, disagrees with the bill’s alloted cost for transport. Their estimates lay much higher, arguing the transportation of Discovery from Virginia to Houston would cost taxpayers no less than $300 to $400 million.

“This is why people hate politicians because they do stuff like this,” U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said. “It’ll cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. It’ll be sad day for our community when this shuttle is taken away from us.”

Beyond the price tag, the Smithsonian argues their collections are not up for grabs. Though a quasigovernmental organization, the institution maintained that Discovery is not on loan from NASA, rather owned by the Institution’s National Air and Space Museum.

The Smithsonian also argues they house the facilities to maintain the shuttle and preserve it for generations to come. 

“I don’t really like to get into politics, but I disagree that this should move,” visitor Alicia Mitchell of Annandale told WUSA9. “We’re talking about trying to make things better here in the U.S. Why are we spending money to move something that should remain here and be a part of Virginia?”

“The Air and Space Museum is the United States’ air museum and that’s where I believe the shuttle belongs, especially that one,” added Steve Schumm, who attended the unveiling of the Discovery at Udvar Hazy in 2012. 

Discovery, with the museum’s other collections of shuttles, has seen more than 25 million visitors since 1985. Keeping it housed in the national museum, Smithsonian argues, means the history is for the whole nation to have access to, not just in Houston. 

The Smithsonian also worries the relocation would damage the Discovery and lose donors. 

“Collecting and preserving artifacts like Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery is part of the National Air and Space Museum’s mission and core function as a research facility and the repository of the national air and space collection,” the institution said in a statement to WUSA9. “The Smithsonian Institution owns the Discovery and holds it in trust for the American public. In 2012, NASA transferred ‘all rights, title, interest and ownership’ of the shuttle to the Smithsonian. The museum is charged with collecting, preserving, and displaying aerospace objects and artifacts of historical interest and significance for current and future generations. The museum holds the comprehensive collection of artifacts that document America’s successful efforts to lead the world in human exploration. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center welcomes millions of visitors, at no entry cost, to experience, study, and see one of the museum’s centerpieces: Discovery.” 

WUSA9 reached out to Sens. Cornyn and Cruz for comment, but have not yet heard back.