The Texas Shuttle Debacle

Space Shuttle Discovery has been making splashes in the news recently, as Texas senators have been campaigning for the risky venture of moving Discovery from its place in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. to Houston’s Johnson Space Center in Texas. 

NASA leader and administrator Jared Isaacman has offered a different spacecraft in lieu of Discovery, as the movement of the historic craft could be too costly or too risky. Either way, Isaacman has made the comment that Texas will get a historic spacecraft, just maybe not the Space Shuttle Discovery. 

That was, until the legislation “Bring Discovery Home to Texas” was brought forth by John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, two senators for Texas, which involved budgeting for the transfer of the spacecraft, which, according to the bill, has to have had crew on it, while giving NASA free range to pick any spacecraft to be transferred, but must be approved by a third party established and picked by NASA. 

So, who’s opposing the transfer of Discovery?
Mostly, its Senate Democrats, grassroots organizations, and the Smithsonian, all pointing out the risk of damaging the historical spacecraft and cost of doing so, which is estimated to be somewhere between 120 and 150 million dollars by the Smithsonian. The senators argued back, saying the Smithsonian had illegally lobbied against moving Discovery. 

Nothing has been set in stone yet, though. As both sides continue debating and fighting over the costs and risks, Isaacman is sure to be looking for a way to appease both sides. 

https://gizmodo.com/nasas-new-chief-finds-loophole-for-texas-shuttle-switcheroo-2000704289