HR 4065119th CongressIn Committee

Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act

Introduced: Jun 20, 2025

Technology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act, would require the Discovery space shuttle to be moved from the Smithsonian Institution’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington, DC, to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas within 18 months of enactment. The move must be accompanied by a jointly developed plan (with a cost and timeline) submitted to Congress within 90 days. Title to the shuttle would transfer to NASA within one year of the move. After the move, the shuttle must be put on public display within five miles of JSC, with JSC overseeing it until it is transferred to a nonprofit entity. Once the title is transferred to the nonprofit, the nonprofit would be responsible for maintaining public exhibition of the shuttle near JSC. The bill authorizes appropriate funding to carry out these provisions, in addition to any other funding already authorized.

Key Points

1Transfer timeline and location: The Discovery shuttle must be moved from the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston within 18 months of enactment.
2Plan and congressional submission: The Administrator of NASA and the Smithsonian must jointly develop a transfer plan with timeline and cost estimates, and submit the plan to Congress within 90 days of enactment.
3Title transfer: The Smithsonian must transfer legal ownership (title) of the shuttle to NASA within one year after the transfer date.
4Public exhibition and oversight: Upon transfer, the shuttle must be publicly exhibited within five miles of JSC, with JSC overseeing it until it is transferred to a nonprofit entity.
5Post-transfer ownership and maintenance: After title transfer to NASA, the Administrator must transfer title to a designated nonprofit entity, which must maintain public exhibition near JSC. The plan specifies that the shuttle remain accessible for STEM education.
6Funding: The bill authorizes the necessary appropriations to carry out these provisions, in addition to any funds available under other law.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Public education and STEM learning audiences in the Houston area and visitors to the Johnson Space Center, who would gain a near-location, publicly exhibited shuttle for educational purposes.Secondary group/area affected- Smithsonian Institution (ownership and stewardship responsibilities for the Discovery shuttle) and the National Air and Space Museum, which currently houses the shuttle.- NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which would take on relocation, exhibit oversight, and educational duties.- A designated nonprofit entity that would eventually own and maintain the shuttle exhibit near JSC.Additional impacts- Budget and funding considerations for moving, displaying, and maintaining the shuttle, including potential costs for the plan, move, and ongoing exhibition.- Operational and logistical planning challenges for moving a large space artifact and ensuring secure, accessible public display.- Legislative oversight implications, since the plan and costs would be reviewed by Congress, with timing tied to enactment.Transfer of title means legally transferring ownership rights to the shuttle from Smithsonian to NASA.Public exhibition refers to making the shuttle accessible for viewing and educational purposes by the public.A nonprofit entity would be a private, tax-exempt organization designated by NASA to operate the exhibit after title transfer.

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