Senator Cornyn Pushes to Move Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston

The Push to Relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery

• 🚀 Senator John Cornyn is advocating for the space shuttle Discovery to find a permanent home at Space Center Houston.
• 🏛️ The shuttle is currently housed at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Virginia, leading to a dispute over its relocation.

Ownership Dispute and Legal Contention

• ⚖️ A key point of contention is the ownership of Discovery, as it was not explicitly transferred to a museum like other shuttles, suggesting potential continued ownership by the federal government and NASA.
• 🗣️ The Smithsonian is expected to vigorously contest any claims of ownership by NASA or the federal government.
• 💰 The move is also complicated by the astounding cost associated with transporting the 172,000lb machine.

Houston's Claim to the Shuttle

• 📍 Many Houstonians believe it is unfair to Houston to not have the shuttle, given that Houston was the home of the space shuttle program.
• 🚢 If the move is successful, experts believe Discovery would likely be transported to Houston via barge.
• ❓ It remains unclear whether Discovery will ultimately be moved back to Houston.