“Houston’s disappointment in not being selected is wholly understandable,” the 4 senators composed, “but removing an item from the National Collection is not a viable solution.”

In July, Cornyn and Cruz effectively included language to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” promoted by President Donald Trump, which made it possible for acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy to then determine Discovery for moving. The arrangement likewise required $85 million to be offered to transfer and show the shuttle bus in Houston.

“There are also profound financial challenges associated with this transfer,” composed Kelly. Warner, Kaine, and Durbin. “The Smithsonian estimates that transporting Discovery from Virginia to Houston could cost more than $50 million, with another $325 million needed for planning, exhibit reconstruction, and new facilities.”

“Dedicating hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to move an artifact that is already housed, displayed, and preserved in a world-class facility is both inefficient and unjustifiable,” the senators composed.

Threats and benefits

There are the logistical obstacles with moving Discoverywhich might lead to harming it, “permanently diminishing its historical and cultural value for future generations.”

“Moving Discovery by barge or road would be far more complex [than previous shuttle moves], exposing it to saltwater, weather, and collision risks across a journey several times longer,” the letter checks out. “As a one-of-a-kind artifact that has already endured the stresses of spaceflight, Discovery is uniquely vulnerable to these hazards. The heat tiles that enabled repeated shuttle missions become more fragile with age, and they are irreplaceable.”

Kelly, who formerly resided in Houston when he belonged to the area program, concurs that the city is main to NASA’s human spaceflight efforts, however, in addition to Warner, Kaine, and Durbin, explains that showing Discovery would feature another expense: an admission cost, restricting public access to the shuttle bus.

“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,” composed the senators.

Under the regards to the act, NASA has till January 4, 2027, (18 months after the expense’s enactment) to move Discovery to Space Center Houston. For its part, the Smithsonian states that it owns the title to Discovery and, as the organization is not part of the federal government, the orbiter is no longer the federal government’s to move.