In a controversial move, President Donald Trump's recently signed 'One Big Beautiful Bill' includes a provision that could see the iconic Space Shuttle Discovery relocated from its current home at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to Space Center Houston in Texas [1][5].

The bill, which passed through Congress with only Republican support, allocates $85 million for the transfer of the space vehicle to a NASA center 'involved in the administration of the Commercial Crew Program' [1]. While the language in the bill is vague, it's widely understood to refer to the Johnson Space Center in Houston [3].

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), a strong proponent of the move, stated, 'Houston has long been the cornerstone of our nation's human space exploration program, and it's long overdue for Space City to receive the recognition it deserves by bringing the Space Shuttle Discovery home' [3]. Cornyn, along with fellow Texas Senator Ted Cruz, has been pushing for this relocation, viewing it as a way to honor Houston's significant role in space exploration [3].

However, the proposed move has sparked intense debate over its cost and practicality. While the bill allocates $85 million for the transfer, the Smithsonian estimates that the actual cost could exceed $300 million when accounting for transportation and the construction of a new facility to house the shuttle in Houston [2][3].

The Smithsonian has expressed strong opposition to the move. Chris Browne, Director of the Air and Space Museum, stated firmly, 'Our position is that the Discovery is staying right where it is' [3]. The museum maintains that it has full ownership of the shuttle and has cited concerns about the potential for damage during the relocation process [2].

The Space Shuttle Discovery, which took its final flight in 2011, has been a centerpiece of the Smithsonian's collection since 2012 [5]. During its operational life, Discovery spent nearly a year in space and traveled almost 150 million miles, making it a symbol of American space exploration [5].

This provision in the budget bill has reignited discussions about the distribution of space artifacts and the recognition of different regions' contributions to the space program. Supporters of the move argue that it would properly acknowledge Houston's crucial role in space exploration, often referred to as 'Space City' [3]. Critics, however, point to the high costs, potential risks to the shuttle, and the loss to the Smithsonian's collection [2].

As the debate continues, the future home of the Space Shuttle Discovery remains uncertain. The implementation of this provision will likely face challenges, both logistical and legal, in the coming months [6].