Houston's Dispute Over the Discovery Shuttle Escalates Further

WHO:

Jalopnik - Texas Senator Ted Cruz and soon-to-be former Senator John Cornyn are leading a campaign regarding the space shuttle Discovery.

Jalopnik - The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is the current home of the space shuttle Discovery.

WHAT:

Jalopnik - Houston is involved in a campaign to move the space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Texas.

Jalopnik - Senators Cruz and Cornyn secured $86 million from last year's "Big Beautiful Bill" for the endeavor of moving the shuttle.

Jalopnik - The Smithsonian has housed the space shuttle Discovery for the last 15 years.

Jalopnik - NASA's selection process ranked Houston 10th out of 29 entries for receiving a space shuttle, ultimately placing it 7th.

WHERE:

Jalopnik - The space shuttle Discovery is currently located at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Virginia.

Jalopnik - Space Center Houston is a key location in the dispute over the shuttle.

WHEN:

Jalopnik - NASA announced the permanent homes for the retired space shuttles 15 years ago.

Jalopnik - The article references a previous discussion about the bill nearly a year ago.

WHY:

Jalopnik - The campaign to move the shuttle is described as a "custody battle" over the Discovery.

Jalopnik - NASA's goal was to place the orbiters where the most individuals could enjoy them and where costs for restoration and transportation could be reimbursed.

HOW:

Jalopnik - NASA formed a selection committee to evaluate the best facilities for the space shuttles using a scoring system.

Jalopnik - The Smithsonian Institution stated it holds the Discovery in trust for the nation and has a responsibility to manage and preserve it.

Jalopnik - Moving the Discovery is expected to be extremely expensive, with estimates ranging from $200-300 million for the move.

(UPDATED June 9, 2026 23:24 UTC)

Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn are spearheading a campaign to relocate the space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Virginia to Houston, which has been home to the shuttle for the past 15 years. They have secured $86 million from last year's "Big Beautiful Bill" to support this endeavor, although moving the shuttle is expected to cost between $200 million and $300 million. The Smithsonian has stated that it holds the Discovery in trust for the nation, emphasizing its responsibility to manage and preserve the iconic spacecraft.