Space Shuttle Discovery Must Move to Houston Within 18 Months for STEM Display

This bill, officially titled the “Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act,” mandates a major logistical operation: moving the Space Shuttle Discovery from its current home at the Smithsonian’s Udvar Hazy Center near Washington, D.C., to the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The clock starts ticking immediately, as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator must complete this entire transfer within 18 months of the bill becoming law.

The Great Artifact Road Trip: Who Pays and When

Before the shuttle hits the road, NASA and the Smithsonian Institution must collaborate on a detailed transfer plan. This plan, which must include a timeline and an estimate of the total cost, is due to Congress within 90 days. This is where the taxpayer comes in: the bill authorizes “whatever sums are necessary” to carry out the transfer. This open-ended funding mechanism means the President can request additional, potentially significant, funds to cover the move, which could involve complex logistics for transporting a national treasure across the country. Essentially, this is a blank check for a complicated, high-profile move, leaving the total cost unknown until the plan is submitted.

Discovery’s New Gig: STEM and Public Display

Once the shuttle arrives in Houston, it must immediately be put on public display to promote science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. The catch is that this display location can't be more than five miles from the Johnson Space Center. For families and students in the Houston area, this means a major historical artifact will become a local, accessible educational resource. Until a permanent owner is found, JSC is responsible for overseeing the shuttle. This provision ensures that the shuttle remains accessible and relevant to its new community.

Passing the Torch to a Nonprofit

After NASA officially takes ownership from the Smithsonian (which must happen within one year of the shuttle's arrival), the Administrator has the authority to transfer the title permanently to a selected nonprofit organization. The bill is clear that this chosen nonprofit must agree to keep the shuttle on public display for STEM education and, critically, must keep it within that five-mile radius of the Johnson Space Center. While this guarantees the shuttle stays in the Houston area for educational purposes, the NASA Administrator holds significant discretion in choosing which nonprofit gets the keys, an area that often warrants attention regarding transparency and fairness in selection.