The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., has been home to Space Shuttle Discovery for more than a decade. Each year, millions of visitors get the chance to munch on freeze-dried “astronaut ice cream” and gaze up at the iconic spaceship that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and built the International Space Station.
Future visitors, however, may not be so lucky. According to NASA Watch, the White House budget office has asked the Smithsonian to begin chopping up Discovery in preparation to move it to Houston, Texas. NASA Watch called the development “unprecedented and alarming,” as NASA did not design Discovery to be disassembled, and doing so could result in irreparable damage, particularly to the shuttle’s frame, heat shield, and thermal insulation fabric.
Jeopardizing a piece of American spaceflight history
Discovery was the longest-serving and most active orbiter of NASA’s space shuttle program, flying 39 missions between 1984 and 2011. In addition to playing an instrumental role in building the ISS and deploying the Hubble Space Telescope, Discovery served as the “Return to Flight” vehicle after the Challenger and Columbia disasters.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, signed into law on July 4, included a bill introduced by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to “bring Discovery home to Texas.” In a recent letter addressed to Congressional Authorizing and Appropriating Committees—obtained by NASA Watch—the Smithsonian states that the White House budget office has asked it to work with NASA to prepare to move Discovery within the 18 months specified in the reconciliation bill.
“While an engineering study will be necessary due to the size and weight of the space vehicle, both NASA and the Smithsonian believe that Discovery will have to undergo significant disassembly to be moved,” the letter reads. “Discovery is the most intact shuttle orbiter of the NASA program, and we remain concerned that disassembling the vehicle will destroy its historical value.”
The move would come at a significant financial cost as well. The Smithsonian and NASA estimate the minimum cost of Discovery’s relocation is in the range of $120 million to $150 million, not taking into account the costs associated with building a new facility in Houston to house the shuttle. The letter also notes that NASA transferred “all rights, title, interest and ownership” of the shuttle to the Smithsonian.
Grassroots organizers and Democratic Senators fight back
State Senator and former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly (D-AZ)—who flew two missions aboard Discovery during his previous career—has joined forces with Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) to prevent Discovery’s relocation.
In a letter sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee on September 23, they call for fiscal year 2026 spending measures to pause any efforts to move the space shuttle to Houston, citing the “competitive” process that selected the Smithsonian as the resting place for Discovery.
“Houston’s disappointment in not being selected is wholly understandable, but removing an item from the National Collection is not a viable solution,” the letter reads. “It is worth noting that there is little evidence of broad public demand for such a move.”
Meanwhile, the prospect of Discovery’s relocation has sparked a grassroots effort to keep it at the Smithsonian. The group, called Keep The Shuttle, firmly believes that the Air and Space Museum is “the most appropriate, secure, and respected home for Discovery,” according to its website.
Whether these efforts prove effective remains to be seen, but the risks and costs associated with moving discovery have clearly ruffled some feathers. Here’s hoping that this iconic space shuttle will be allowed to remain intact and in place.
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