Senators urge appropriators to keep shuttle Discovery in Smithsonian
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has written to congressional appropriators, urging them to ensure Space Shuttle Discovery remains at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The letter emphasizes the shuttle's role in inspiring future generations. This comes amid reports of potential relocation plans.
On September 18, 2025, a group of bipartisan senators sent a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House appropriations committees. The letter specifically addresses concerns over the future of Space Shuttle Discovery, currently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
The senators, including Mark Warner and Tim Kaine from Virginia, along with others from states like Florida and California, argue that Discovery should stay in its current location. 'The Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the ideal home for Discovery, where it can continue to inspire millions of visitors each year,' the letter states. They highlight the shuttle's historical significance, noting that it completed 39 missions between 1984 and 2011, including the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and servicing missions.
Discovery arrived at the Udvar-Hazy Center in April 2012, suspended above the museum floor in a climate-controlled environment. The facility, part of the National Air and Space Museum, attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually and serves as a key educational resource. The senators express worry over recent discussions about relocating the orbiter, possibly to make way for other exhibits or due to funding issues.
'Relocating Discovery would be a disservice to its legacy and to the American public,' the letter continues. It calls on appropriators to include language in upcoming funding bills that prohibits any move of the shuttle from the Smithsonian. This effort underscores ongoing debates about preserving space artifacts amid budget constraints for NASA's historical programs.
The Udvar-Hazy Center's location in Virginia has made it a point of pride for local lawmakers, who note the economic benefits from tourism. No specific relocation destination has been confirmed, but the senators' intervention aims to preempt any such plans. This action reflects broader congressional interest in maintaining accessible public access to iconic pieces of U.S. space history.