NASA Administrator Proposes Alternative Solutions for Shuttle Move

NASA’s newly appointed Administrator, Jared Isaacman, is navigating a complex situation involving the potential relocation of the iconic Space Shuttle Discovery. Texas senators have been advocating for the shuttle to move from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This initiative poses significant financial risks, with estimates for the move ranging up to $150 million.

In an interview with CNBC on December 23, Isaacman outlined that the feasibility of relocating Discovery hinges on two critical factors: ensuring the shuttle’s safety during transport and adhering to the budget constraints. He indicated that if relocating Discovery proves too risky or expensive, NASA could consider sending a different spacecraft, such as an Orion capsule. “If we can’t do that, you know what, we have spacecraft going around the Moon with Artemis 2, 3, 4, and 5,” Isaacman stated. “One way or another, we’re going to make sure Johnson Space Center gets its historic spacecraft right where it belongs.”

Texas Senators Push for Discovery’s Return

The push for Discovery’s return to Texas gained momentum in April when Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduced legislation aimed at bringing the shuttle back to Houston. This advocacy culminated in the inclusion of key provisions in H.R. 1, a budget reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4. Unlike the original proposal, H.R. 1 does not specifically name Discovery or Johnson Space Center. Instead, it allocates $85 million for the transfer of a crewed spacecraft to a NASA center involved in the agency’s commercial crew program. NASA is required to select a suitable spacecraft within 30 days of the bill’s enactment.

Discovery, which holds the record for the most flights during its 27 years of operation, qualifies under the bill’s criteria. Nonetheless, NASA has not confirmed which vehicle will be selected. In August, the agency indicated a choice had been made, though details remain undisclosed. Cornyn’s office later suggested that a retired space shuttle was the chosen vehicle, again without specifying which one.

Despite the legislative backing, the potential move of Discovery has prompted significant opposition. Concerns have been raised by Senate Democrats, grassroots organizers, and the Smithsonian, which currently owns the shuttle. The Smithsonian has emphasized that moving Discovery would necessitate extensive disassembly, risking the integrity of the historic vehicle.

Concerns Over Costs and Risks

In a letter to Congressional committees in early October, the Smithsonian confirmed that both it and NASA recognize the necessity of “significant disassembly” for the shuttle’s relocation. This process could incur costs estimated between $120 million and $150 million, excluding the expenses involved in constructing a new facility to house the shuttle in Houston.

Senators Cornyn and Cruz have challenged these estimates, calling for a Department of Justice investigation into what they describe as the Smithsonian’s “illegal lobbying” against the move. As of now, no investigation has been initiated.

With Jared Isaacman at the helm of NASA during this ongoing debate, he is acutely aware of the need to balance the interests of powerful Texas senators with the broader concerns of the spaceflight community. In his interview, Isaacman highlighted that his primary objectives are to preserve Discovery and ensure the agency operates within its financial limitations. “My job now is to make sure we can undertake such a transportation within the budget dollars we have available and, of course, most importantly, ensuring the safety of the vehicle,” he remarked.

As discussions continue, the future of the Space Shuttle Discovery remains uncertain, with the potential for an alternative solution in the form of an Orion capsule providing a more manageable and cost-effective approach to satisfying the demands from Houston.