Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have introduced the Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act, aiming to transfer the Space Shuttle Discovery from Virginia to Houston. The shuttle is currently housed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Senator Cornyn stated, “Houston played a critical role throughout the life of the space shuttle program, but it is clear political favors trumped common sense and fairness when the Obama administration blocked the Space City from receiving the recognition it deserves.” He expressed pride in leading efforts to bring Discovery to Houston, highlighting the opportunity it would provide for future generations to learn about the city’s contributions to the program.

Senator Cruz added, “Home to the Johnson Space Center and its famed Mission Control, Houston has an unparalleled reputation and history in the exploration of the new frontier.” Cruz emphasized that it is time for the Space Center Houston Museum to house a space shuttle due to its unique relationship with the program and its support staff in Houston. He noted that bringing Discovery to its final home would allow visitors to engage with a living piece of NASA’s history and understand Houston's significance as 'Space City.'

Governor Abbott remarked, “The first word spoken from the moon was ‘Houston.’ To honor that legacy, it’s long overdue for a retired NASA Space Shuttle to rest at Houston’s Johnson Space Center so Texans can see, learn from, and enjoy it for generations.” He thanked Senators Cornyn and Cruz for spearheading the effort to bring the historic shuttle to Texas.

Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center has overseen space shuttle flights throughout the program's history. The astronauts also lived and trained in Houston. The NASA Authorization Act of 2010 dictated that the retired space shuttles should reside in states with significant historical connections to the shuttle program. Critics argue this directive was overlooked by the Obama administration, leading to one shuttle being sent to New York City, despite the city’s lack of major contributions to space exploration.

The Space Shuttle Discovery is the only shuttle still owned by the federal government and retains the potential for transfer. The proposed legislation would authorize its relocation from Virginia to a nonprofit near the Johnson Space Center in Houston.