Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4065
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:53:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act" (H.R. 4065) aims to relocate the retired Space Shuttle Discovery from its current display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum near Washington, DC, to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The goal is to make the shuttle more accessible for public education and inspiration in space exploration, particularly to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning in the Houston area.
Key Provisions
- Transfer Timeline: Within 18 months of the bill's enactment, NASA must direct the physical transfer of the Discovery shuttle from the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to the Johnson Space Center.
- Planning Requirement: NASA and the Smithsonian must jointly create a transfer plan, including an estimated timeline and costs, and submit it to Congress within 90 days of enactment.
- Title Transfer: The Smithsonian must transfer legal ownership (title) of the shuttle to NASA within one year after the physical move.
- Public Display: After transfer, the shuttle must be exhibited publicly at a site no more than 5 miles from the Johnson Space Center to support STEM education. NASA’s Johnson Space Center oversees it until ownership passes to a designated nonprofit.
- Nonprofit Involvement: After NASA receives title, it must transfer ownership to a nonprofit organization chosen by NASA. This nonprofit must keep the shuttle on public display within 5 miles of the center for STEM purposes.
- Funding: Authorizes Congress to appropriate necessary funds to NASA for the transfer, beyond existing budgets, including potential supplemental requests from the President.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandate for relocating a national artifact currently under Smithsonian control, which has no prior legal requirement for such a move. It shifts ownership and management from the Smithsonian (a federal museum focused on preserving aviation and space history) to NASA and eventually a nonprofit, altering how federal space artifacts are stewarded and displayed. Previously, the Discovery shuttle has been housed at the Udvar-Hazy Center since 2012 as part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NASA gains responsibility for the shuttle's relocation and initial oversight, potentially increasing its educational outreach in Texas but requiring new funding and logistics. The Smithsonian loses possession of a key exhibit, which may affect visitor traffic and collections at its DC-area facility.
- Citizens: Public access shifts from the Washington, DC, area (serving millions of national and international visitors annually) to Houston, potentially boosting local STEM engagement and tourism in Texas while reducing visibility for East Coast audiences. It could inspire younger generations in space-related fields through hands-on exhibits.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though relocating a symbol of U.S. space achievements might subtly influence global perceptions of NASA's priorities if it emphasizes regional rather than national centralization.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NASA and Johnson Space Center: Primary beneficiaries, handling transfer, oversight, and eventual nonprofit designation to enhance local space education.
- Smithsonian Institution: Must relinquish the shuttle, collaborate on planning, and transfer title, impacting its role as a national repository of space history.
- Congress: Receives the transfer plan and authorizes funding; the bill was introduced by a Texas representative, suggesting regional interests.
- Public and Educational Communities: Especially in Houston (gains exhibit) versus Washington, DC (loses it), including students, teachers, and space enthusiasts who benefit from STEM-focused displays.
- Nonprofit Entities: Potential recipients of ownership, tasked with long-term maintenance and public access.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Raises questions about federal property rights between agencies (NASA and Smithsonian), as both are executive branch entities but with semi-independent statuses; the bill asserts congressional authority to direct such transfers under its spending and oversight powers.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Article I authority to appropriate funds and regulate federal property, but could face challenges if seen as infringing on the Smithsonian's statutory independence as an educational trust.
- Political: Reflects regional advocacy (sponsored by a Texas lawmaker) to "bring home" a space icon to a major NASA hub, potentially sparking debates on equitable distribution of national treasures versus localized benefits; no major controversies noted in the bill text, but implementation might involve inter-agency negotiations or funding disputes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act — issued 2025-06-20 — PDF (4 pages)