Texas Attempts to Steal Shuttle from Smithsonian – Senator Calls It a Heist
The Battle for the Shuttle: Unpacking the smithsonian’s Space Shuttle Ownership and Display Controversy
Table of Contents
The retirement of NASA’s Space Shuttle program marked the end of an era, ushering in a new phase of space exploration. However, the transition from active service to museum display sparked a surprising and contentious debate, particularly concerning the ownership and rightful location of these iconic spacecraft. At the heart of this controversy lay the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, and the aspirations of cities like Houston and Chicago to house these national treasures. This article delves into the legal, financial, and ethical dimensions of this dispute, providing a foundational understanding of how these artifacts are managed and displayed.
Houston, We Have a Problem: The Fight for Revelation
The city of Houston, Texas, found itself at the centre of a meaningful dispute when it was denied the chance to display the Space Shuttle Discovery. The controversy escalated when Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois voiced strong objections to the process and the financial implications involved.
The Cost of Display: Millions in Question
Senator Durbin highlighted significant financial discrepancies and projected costs associated with the shuttle’s relocation and display. Research cited by Durbin,drawing from NASA and the Smithsonian,indicated that the total cost for Discovery‘s transfer was closer to $305 million. This figure did not even account for the estimated $178 million required to construct a dedicated facility in Houston to house and exhibit the shuttle. These figures raised serious questions about the financial prudence of the shuttle distribution process.
A central point of contention was the legal right of Congress to remove an artifact, especially a space shuttle, from the Smithsonian’s collection.The Smithsonian, as a trust instrumentality of the United States, asserted its ownership of Discovery. The paperwork finalized in 2012,signed by NASA,explicitly transferred “all rights,interest,title,and ownership” of the spacecraft to the Smithsonian. This legal transfer formed the bedrock of the Smithsonian’s claim and its authority over the shuttle’s placement.
Durbin argued vehemently against any attempt to forcibly remove the shuttle, stating, “this will be the first time ever in the history of the Smithsonian someone has taken one of their displays and forcibly taken possession of it. What are we doing here? They don’t have the right in Texas to claim this.” His remarks underscored the perceived overreach and the violation of established protocols.
Beyond Houston: A Wider Disappointment
Houston was not the sole contender left disappointed. In 2011, Senator durbin, alongside fellow Illinois Senator Mark Kirk, had appealed to NASA to exhibit a retired space shuttle at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. However, NASA’s ultimate decision awarded the coveted shuttles to three primary locations: the National Air and Space Museum, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, and the California Science Center in Los Angeles. This distribution pattern left many other cities and institutions vying for a piece of space history without success.
precedent and Prohibitions: The “Houston, We Have a Problem” Amendment
The dispute over Discovery‘s placement led Senator Durbin to introduce a specific legislative measure. He proposed the “Houston, We Have a Problem” amendment, which aimed to “prohibit the use of funds to transfer a decommissioned space shuttle from one location to another location.” This amendment was a direct response to the perceived mismanagement and financial waste associated with the shuttle transfers.While the amendment was ultimately withdrawn after Durbin had articulated his objections and concerns, it served as a powerful statement on the floor of Congress.He characterized the situation as “waste. Eighty-five million dollars worth of waste,” and urged his colleagues to approach the issue with honesty and careful consideration. “I hope that we think about this long and hard,” he implored,highlighting the broader implications of such decisions.
The Legacy of the Shuttle: From Orbit to Museum
The Space Shuttle program, which ran from 1981 to 2011, was a monumental achievement in human spaceflight. The orbiters, such as Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour, columbia, and Challenger, were complex machines that carried astronauts and payloads into orbit, facilitated satellite deployment and repair, and played a crucial role in the construction of the International Space Station.
Upon their retirement, NASA faced the challenge of deciding how to best preserve and display these historic vehicles for public education and inspiration. The selection process involved rigorous criteria, with institutions needing to demonstrate their capacity to provide appropriate housing, preservation, and public access. The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, with its extensive experience in aerospace artifact preservation and exhibition, was a natural choice for housing one of the