Discovery Space Shuttle Set for Controversial Move to Texas Following Tax Bill Approval

A renowned NASA space shuttle, Discovery, is on track to be moved from its current home at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum to Texas, following the passage of President Trump's tax legislation by House Republicans. This legislation, which primarily focuses on extending tax cuts initiated in 2017 and reducing funding for Medicaid, includes a controversial provision that allocates $85 million for the transportation of the Discovery shuttle.

However, the Smithsonian has raised alarms regarding this initiative, asserting that the actual costs related to the move may exceed $300 million. This figure takes into account expenses such as building a new facility at Space Center Houston to house the shuttle and creating a replacement exhibit at the Smithsonian. Furthermore, they noted that the process of moving Discovery poses considerable complexities and risks, with a significant likelihood of damage occurring to the shuttle during the transfer.

Garrett Reisman, who is a former astronaut that flew aboard Discovery, shared his apprehensions about the proposed move, labeling it "ludicrous and unnecessary." He expressed a preference for investing funds in NASA's science programs instead, especially in light of Trump’s recent suggestions to cut the science program's budget, which currently stands at $7 billion and has been described as "unsustainable."

Two Republican senators from Texas, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, are the main supporters of this legislative provision aimed at relocating the shuttle. Cornyn's spokesperson suggested that the Smithsonian's estimated cost for the transfer was intentionally exaggerated, pointing to an outside contractor's estimate ranging from $5 to $8 million to handle the move. Conversely, Cruz defended the legislation, stating that it appropriately acknowledges Houston's important role in America’s human spaceflight efforts.