Texas to Smithsonian: Hand Over Space Shuttle Discovery

Texas politicians are pushing for a very big souvenir from space history—and the Smithsonian is not amused. Writing at the Wall Street Journal, Kelly Crow reports that Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn have tucked $85 million into the federal budget to pry the retired space shuttle Discovery away from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and send it to Space Center Houston, home of Mission Control. For Texas, it's a chance to correct what locals still call the "Houston Shuttle Snub," when NASA in 2011 awarded Discovery to the Smithsonian instead of Houston despite the city's central role in the shuttle era. Exactly zero of the four retired space shuttles went to Texas, and Houston has a problem with that.

The Smithsonian argues that Discovery is now part of its permanent collection, held "in trust for the nation," and museum advocates warn that forcing a transfer sets a troubling precedent: "They're raiding the Smithsonian," says Joe Stief of Keep the Shuttle, a group opposing the move. "What's to stop North Carolina from taking back the Wright Flyer or New York from reclaiming the Hope diamond?" Even if lawmakers prevail, moving the 86-ton orbiter—fragile heat tiles and all—could cost hundreds of millions and pose major engineering risks. NASA is already sounding out industry on how such a move might work. For the full story and stakes, read the original piece at the Wall Street Journal.