White House told only way to move Discovery is to chop it up

"The Space Shuttle was never designed to be dismantled. In addition to its frame and internals, the vehicle is covered with delicate ceramic tiles, capable of withstanding the heat of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, along with thermal blankets. Then there are the cables and connectors underneath. If it must be moved and legal hurdles such as ownership are overcome, then dismantling it and accepting damage to an irreplaceable artifact is unavoidable."

"The space agency and research institute estimate "that the cost to move Discovery to Houston would, at minimum, be between $120 million and $150 million, exclusive of the cost of building a new exhibit in Houston." This is considerably more than the $85 million budgeted for transportation and exhibition construction. The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft have long been decommissioned, and getting one flightworthy again would be a lengthy and expensive undertaking, even if it were possible."

Estimated cost to move Discovery to Houston ranges from $120 million to $150 million, excluding new exhibit construction, far exceeding the $85 million budget. Transporting Discovery likely requires disassembly because the orbiter was not designed to be dismantled and is covered with fragile ceramic tiles, thermal blankets, and numerous cables and connectors. Shuttle Carrier Aircraft have been decommissioned and restoring one would be lengthy and costly. Marine transport requires a suitable barge and significant associated expenses. Dismantling would risk damaging an irreplaceable and historically valuable orbiter, and the Smithsonian expressed concern that disassembly could destroy its historical value.

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