"The crux of the concerns seems to be a letter the Smithsonian sent to the congressional authorizing and appropriating committees, as first shared by KeepTheShuttle, a grassroots organization founded to support Discovery staying at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. In that letter, the Smithsonian cited a cost of $35 million to $65 million more than the $85 million authorized by the Big Beautiful Bill Act"
"The Smithsonian, together with NASA, also expressed concern that "Discovery will have to undergo significant disassembly to be moved." That possibility, along with the logistics and costs of making the move, resulted in Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) sending their own letter to the Senate Committee on Appropriations to block funding for the move."
The Smithsonian maintains it does not engage in direct or grassroots lobbying and says its staff acted in accordance with rules and regulations. The Smithsonian states it is not part of the federal government and holds clear title to Discovery, transferred by NASA in 2012, making removal unprecedented. The Smithsonian cited relocation cost estimates $35 million to $65 million above the $85 million authorized, excluding display facility construction. Smithsonian and NASA warned that Discovery would require significant disassembly to move. Several senators sent a letter to block funding for the move, citing disassembly, logistics, and cost concerns.
Read at Ars Technica
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