Bill · S. 1403· Senate(119-S-1403)
Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 4/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act," requires the transfer of the Discovery space shuttle from the Smithsonian Institution to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The transfer must be completed within 18 months of the Act's enactment. The NASA Administrator and the Smithsonian Institution are tasked with jointly creating a plan that includes a timeline and cost estimate. This plan must be submitted to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Once transferred, the shuttle is to be placed on public exhibition near the Johnson Space Center to promote STEM learning. Finally, title of the shuttle will eventually be transferred from NASA to a designated nonprofit entity.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this put more into space exploration?+5
By moving the Discovery shuttle to the Johnson Space Center, the bill promotes NASA's mission and space history.
Would students be better off under this?+3
The bill explicitly promotes STEM learning through public exhibition.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+3
The bill supports STEM learning through public exhibition of the space shuttle.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Advancing STEM Learning: The bill requires the shuttle to be placed on public exhibition to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning (Section 2(d)(1) and Section 2(e)). This could provide educational benefits to individuals through public access to the shuttle near the Johnson Space Center.
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New Public Exhibition Location: The shuttle is to be exhibited at a location no more than 5 miles from the Johnson Space Center (Section 2(d)(1) and Section 2(e)), which provides a specific site for public learning and engagement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Costs: The bill requires the development of a cost estimate for the transfer (Section 2(b)(1)) and authorizes the Administrator to receive sums of money as may be necessary to carry out the transfer (Section 2(f)). These costs are described as being in addition to other authorized appropriations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+3Good For Children+2Good For Urban Residents+2Good For Young Adults+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Space Exploration+5Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas