Following up on our first article about why Space Shuttle Discovery should remain at the Smithsonian, there have been several important developments regarding the proposed relocation that the KeepTheShuttle team has been closely monitoring:
July 10 – Senate Appropriations Committee Illinois Senator Dick Durbin strongly condemned the proposed relocation, calling it a “heist” that would waste $85 million in taxpayer funds and set a dangerous precedent. His remarks make it clear that the proposal will face serious challenges in the Senate’s appropriations process. Watch the full meeting online (Senator Durbin’s comments begin at 1:14:00 in the full committee video.)
July 22 – House Appropriations Committee Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY) introduced an amendment prohibiting federal funds for the relocation during a House Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The amendment—introduced at 4:15:20 in the hearing video—passed overwhelmingly by bipartisan voice vote. While the amendment must still pass the full House and a similar measure will be needed in the Senate, this strong bipartisan action demonstrates growing congressional support for keeping Discovery at the Smithsonian.
August 3 – NASA’s “Unidentified Identification” Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, NASA was required to identify a spacecraft for relocation within 30 days. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has claimed a vehicle has been identified, but NASA refuses to name it. The likely reason: NASA has no legal claim to Discovery. In 2012, the agency signed over “all right, title, and interest” to the Smithsonian, which has made clear it will not relinquish ownership.
Smithsonian Investigation Push Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the leading proponent of relocation, recently criticized the Smithsonian for defending its rights and even called for an investigation. To date, this request has gone nowhere.
Appropriations Outlook When Congress returns from recess, its focus will be on FY26 funding and preventing a government shutdown. KeepTheShuttle is working with allies to ensure the $85 million authorized by the OBBBA is never appropriated. Rep. Morelle’s amendment already set a precedent by blocking Smithsonian funding for relocation, with strong bipartisan support from Rep. Simpson (R-ID) and Rep. Pingree (D-ME). KeepTheShuttle will continue engaging elected officials and its community of supporters to ensure Discovery remains at the Smithsonian. For questions or media inquiries, contact Joe at [email protected] or 202-681-8299. To learn more or to join the effort, visit KeepTheShuttle.org
Being GB based a lot of this discussion is outside of my knowledge.
So I will confine myself to just this comment.
Wherever the Shuttle is Displayed, it must be somewhere the maximum number of people can access and see it, and appreciate it.
In years to come, think in terms of 50-100 years time, it will seem (hopefully, by then) Crude, Old-fashioned.
But, as with All The Other Space Programme Exhibits, those ‘Baby Steps’ will show not only the Progress Made, but also the Risks Knowingly Undertaken, to ensure that Progress.
Show the Risks, Yes – because Every Flight Entailed Some Risk; but also to show the technical ability and progression made – the ‘Learning Curve’, the Drive and the Determination to succeed.
For, when Mankind Stands On Mars, and Looks Homeward, they will appreciate that Determination and Progress; in the same way we today think if the Pioneers of 1900, having just stepped off a Modern AirBus.
”’Per Ardua Ad Astra”
I hope that outrageous plan to relocate the Discovery from the Smithsonian, down to Houston dies a very horrible death.
The Smithsonian is America’s museum and relocation of a shuttle that NASA doesn’t even own, let alone control would cost more than the cost to move it. Why should this happen? Are we going to reclaim other museum pieces for political favors? It would be one thing if NASA and the government actually owned the shuttle. The bottom line is this is a MASSIVE WASTE of taxpayer money at a time when we are facing MASSIVE national debit.
No reason to move the shuttle from it’s current location. Another example of what this administration does best, WASTE TAXPAYER MONEY!