Senators in Texas want to cut the discovery of space shuttle

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, was home to discovering the space shuttle for more than a decade. Every year, millions of visitors get the opportunity to roam the dried “ice cream”, and they looked at the iconic space ship that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and building the International Space Station.

However, the future visitors may not be very lucky. according to NASA watchThe White House budget office asked Smithsonian to start cutting the discovery in preparation for his transfer to Houston, Texas. NASA described the development of “unprecedented and worrying”, as NASA did not desigate a discovery to be dismantled, and this may lead to irreparable damage, especially in the shuttle, heat shield, and thermal insulation textile.

Earing a piece of American space to danger

The discovery was the longest and most active orbit of the NASA space shuttle program, Flying 39 tasks between 1984 and 2011. In addition to playing an effective role in building ISS and publishing the Hubble Space Telescope, Discovery was a “return to flying” vehicle after the disasters of Challenger and Colombia.

The “Great Great Bill Law” Law, Fell In the law on July 4, a draft law included foot By Senator Ted Cruise (R-TX) and John Corn (R-TX) to “Bring Discovery to Texas”. In a recent message addressed to the Congress committees that the committee allows and allocated – which NASA has gained – Smithsonian states that the White House budget office asked to work with NASA to prepare to move the discovery during the 18 months specified in the reconciliation bill.

“Although an engineering study will be necessary due to the size and weight of the space car, both NASA and Samithonian believe that the discovery will have to undergo a great dismantling to be transferred.” “Discovery is the easiest shuttle orbit of NASA, and we are still concerned that dismantling the car will destroy its historical value.”

The move will also come at a large financial cost. Smithsonian and NASA estimates the minimum cost of transferring the discovery within $ 120 million to $ 150 million, not taking into account the costs associated with building a new facility in Houston to accommodate shuttle. The letter also indicates that NASA has conveyed “all rights, property, benefits and ownership of the shuttle to Smithsonian.

Popular organizers and democratic patients are fighting again

The state’s Senator and the former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly (D-IZ)-who flew two mission on the Discovery during his previous career-with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kane (D-VA), Dick Dorbin (D-Lil) to prevent the transfer of Discovery.

In a letter sent to the Senate Credit Committee on September 23, they are calling for the fiscal year 2026 to spend measures to stop any efforts to transfer the space shuttle to Houston, citing the “competitiveness” that chose Smithsonian as a place to discover.

“Houston’s disappointment in not choosing it is completely understandable, but removing an element from the national group is not an applicable solution,” says the message. “It should be noted that there is little evidence of the widespread general demand for such a step.”

Meanwhile, the possibility of transferring Discovery sparked a popular effort to keep it in Smithsonian. The group, called Keep the showtle, firmly Secure The Air and Space Museum is “the most appropriate, safe and respectful for discovery,” according to its website.

Whether these efforts prove the effectiveness of the remainder, but the risks and costs associated with moving discovery have been clearly lost. Here in the hope that this iconic shuttle will be allowed to survive and in its place.