A new wave of debate has erupted over the future of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Jared Isaacman, whom Donald Trump has once again nominated to lead NASA, has expressed his willingness to help move the iconic spacecraft from the Smithsonian museum in Virginia to the Lyndon Johnson Space Center in Houston. This was announced by Senator John Cornyn of Texas, one of the main backers of the initiative.
On Monday, December 1, Cornyn met with Isaacman, the billionaire founder of Shift4, who is also known as a private astronaut and participant in SpaceX missions. During their conversation, they discussed ways to strengthen America’s position in space, competition with China and other countries, and Houston’s role as a hub for crewed space programs. According to the senator, Isaacman pledged to enforce the new law that provides for the transport of Discovery to Texas.
Discovery is the most ‘hard-working’ of all American shuttles, having completed 39 missions between 1984 and 2011. After the shuttle program ended, the orbiters were distributed among museums across the United States to preserve the legacy of American space exploration. Discovery was placed in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Virginia, while the Johnson Space Center in Houston was left without its own orbiter, prompting discontent among Texas lawmakers.
Law and money
In April, Senators Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduced a bill requiring NASA to return Discovery to Houston. Although the bill initially did not pass committee, its provisions were incorporated into the sweeping ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ signed by Trump on July 4. The legislation allocates $85 million for transporting the shuttle and constructing a new pavilion for its display.
However, controversy continues to surround this initiative. Smithsonian Institution representatives argue that Discovery now belongs to the museum and that federal authorities cannot simply reclaim the exhibit. Additionally, the museum is concerned that transporting the massive 37-meter-long spacecraft with its nearly 24-meter wingspan might require partial disassembly, potentially compromising its historical integrity.
The Smithsonian Institution also estimates the cost of transporting Discovery to be significantly higher than the amount provided by law: according to their calculations, it would require between $120 million and $150 million. The senators, for their part, insist that the shuttle must be moved to Houston intact and undismantled.
Politics and space
As a nominee for NASA administrator, Isaacman could play a pivotal role in advancing this plan. In the coming days, his nomination will be considered by the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation. This is not Isaacman’s first attempt at the position: In January 2024, Trump had already nominated him, but then unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy. In November, Isaacman’s name appeared once again on the shortlist of contenders.
The fate of Discovery has sparked fierce debate between supporters of returning the shuttle to Texas and defenders of museum heritage. For Houston, home to NASA’s Mission Control Center, bringing Discovery back would symbolize the restoration of historical justice. For the Virginia museum, it would mean losing a unique exhibit that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
Historical context
After the shuttle program ended in 2011, the four surviving orbiters were distributed among different museums across the United States. The test craft Enterprise went to New York, Atlantis to Florida, Endeavour to Los Angeles, and Discovery to Virginia. The other two shuttles, Challenger and Columbia, were lost in disasters that claimed the lives of 14 astronauts.
The decision to place Discovery in the Smithsonian Museum sparked discontent in Texas, where many believe Houston rightfully deserves this symbol of American spaceflight. Senators Cornyn and Cruz have repeatedly stressed that the Johnson Center was, and remains, the heart of the nation’s crewed space programs.
Now, with the question of Discovery’s future back in the spotlight, the standoff between the museum and politicians is only intensifying. The final decision will depend on the stance of NASA’s new leadership and further actions by Congress.
In case you didn’t know, Jared Isaacman is an entrepreneur, founder of Shift4, and one of the few private astronauts to have flown to orbit aboard SpaceX missions. In 2021 and 2022, he led two private missions on Crew Dragon spacecraft. Isaacman is known for supporting the growth of private spaceflight and for his active involvement in science and education charity initiatives.
