Texas lawmakers considering a lawsuit for Enterprise?

I first heard of Texas possibly filing a lawsuit from my mother of all people So I had to do some research because I had not seen this yet myself but apparently it is true.

Now I have no idea why Houston didn't get one of the orbiters. I do not think NY needs one at all. Houston has been a part of the shuttle program and they should rightfully have one on display there.

Disappointed Texans in Congress are threatening legislative action to block NASA's planned transfer of a retired shuttle orbiter from Florida's Kennedy Space Center to a riverside museum in New York City.

The 18 lawmakers, led by Reps. Ted Poe, R-Humble, and Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, want NASA to award a retired shuttle to Houston's Johnson Space Center.

The lawmakers — 16 Republicans joined by Houston Democrats Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee — issued their threat in a letter to NASA administrator Charles Bolden.

I would be disappointed too! I know I would have felt the same if we didn't get Atlantis here

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/04fc4fbe00a3.jpg[/atsimg]

Dear Administrator Charles Bolden,

Like many other Texans, we were shocked by your announcement yesterday that the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the center for human spaceflight research and flight control for NASA, was not chosen to be the permanent home to one of the retired Space Shuttle Orbiters. As you know, the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center has been the operational center of every US human space mission since June 1965. The men and women who work at mission control have supported every single shuttle mission since the very first mission in 1981. We can find no logical explanation for this decision, and request that you explain the rationale behind the decision to Congress, the people of Houston, and the American taxpayer.

1. What factors did you use in making your decision?

2. For what specific reasons was the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City chosen?

3. Are there any historical connections between NASA and the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum? Are there any historical connections between NASA and New York City in general?

4. Exactly how much does NASA anticipate spending to move the Enterprise from its current location in Virginia to the Intrepid Museum? Specifically, what funds will NASA use to pay for this move?

5. How does NASA physically plan to move the Enterprise to pier 86 in New York City?

6. Considering that the Intrepid Museum is located only 224 miles from the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, where the Shuttle Discovery will be displayed, doesn't it make geographic sense to have the Enterprise more centrally located in the country? As it stands now, there are three locations on the east coast. Wouldn't a more central location ensure that the highest number of Americans would be able to visit?

It is our hope that politics did not play a role in this historic decision. If there is no rational explanation based on definable factors for the choice of the Intrepid museum in New York City, and that the transfer of the Enterprise to that location will cost significantly more than a transfer to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, we will do everything in our power in Congress, including legislation to prevent funding of the transfer, to stop this wasteful decision.

^^^the letter. You can go to the link for the list of names and the full letter.

I too would like to know why Houston wasn't given one and why the Intrepid Museum gets one.


What do you think of this? I know I am more bias since I am a total space nut and love all things space and shuttle but I do think the decision is wrong and I hope that Houston follow through and gets Enterprise.

I know some will think this is silly but if you are involved in anyway with the shuttle be it personal, emotional or you have a hands on relationship with it you will understand why so many are upset by this decision.

Source

Here is some info on Enterprise. For those who don't know Enterprise never flew any mission to space. It is currently at the Smithsonian Institution in DC.

Originally, Enterprise had been intended to be refitted for orbital flight, which would have made it the second space shuttle to fly after Columbia.[2] However, during the construction of Columbia, details of the final design changed, particularly with regard to the weight of the fuselage and wings. Refitting Enterprise for spaceflight would have involved dismantling the orbiter and returning the sections to subcontractors across the country. As this was an expensive proposition, it was determined to be less costly to build Challenger around a body frame (STA-099) that had been created as a test article.[2] Similarly, Enterprise was considered for refit to replace Challenger after the latter was destroyed, but Endeavour was built from structural spares instead.[2][3]

Wiki Enterprise

Sounds like the texans are pretty sore losers. Atleast they still have the Alamo.

reply to post by mblahnikluver


Didn't every American tax payer contribute to this program?
You say you have the Atlantis, isn't that enough??

Give another city a chance to see where their tax dollars went.

Originally posted by lokdog
Sounds like the texans are pretty sore losers. Atleast they still have the Alamo.

That isn't needed. Do you know anything about Texas and their involvement in the shuttle program, heck pretty much all launches with NASA?

They have a right to be upset. I would.

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by mblahnikluver

 

Didn't every American tax payer contribute to this program?
You say you have the Atlantis, isn't that enough??

Give another city a chance to see where their tax dollars went.

Um did you read what I said? Apparently not.

It isn't about who paid for what and yes we have Atlantis as the Kennedy Space Center should have a shuttle, as should Houston.

Does NY really need more to bring in tourism? I doubt it.

Again you dont seem to understand why they are upset...I do however.

Some will get it and some won't.

Houston should have Enterprise.

Originally posted by lokdog
Sounds like the texans are pretty sore losers.

Sounds like you need to get a life and stop trolling. Make you feel real tough to bring others down? Don't have anything else better to do? GTFO.



Mblah, there's absolutely no logical reason why two shuttles need to be placed 224 miles apart from each other on the same side of the country. I'd almost be willing to bet that money was a factor in NASA's decision. Everyone knows that NASA needs the money and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

NASA has been slowly swirling down the drain over the last couple/few decades while other space ventures like Virgin have been gaining momentum.

I really do hope that Texas wins this case. They deserve a shuttle and there really is no reason why Texas shouldn't get one.

New York has more culture and sophistication than Texas and would undoubtably appreciate the shuttle more. As far as giving it to Houston that makes about as much sense as building a Ritz hotel in Mogadishu. So the Texans arent getting there way lets defund the move, thats sore losers.

Originally posted by lokdog
As far as giving it to Houston

that makes about as much sense as building a Ritz hotel in Mogadishu.

Not giving a shuttle to Houston Space Center, you know, one of the places involved in every shuttle mission, shouldn't get a shuttle? REALLY?

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by mblahnikluver

 

Didn't every American tax payer contribute to this program?
You say you have the Atlantis, isn't that enough??

Give another city a chance to see where their tax dollars went.

The shuttle Atlantis is going to Florida, that's the Kennedy Space Center. So no, we (I speak for all Texans) don't have one. So this would be giving another city a chance to have one, especially when Houston was the center of command for all the NASA missions since 1965.

Houston has a 2010 population of 2.1 million spread over an area of 579 sq miles.
New York has a 2010 population of 8.2 million spread over an area of 305 sq miles.

Its a no brainer that they decided to put the shuttle were the most people would see it.

If anyone cares to know where the others are going, you can read about it here. Competing cities had to present proposals and make the case for their site to be chosen.

Twenty-one institutions across the country had put in bids for one of the orbiters

Spoiler alert:

NASA says Florida, New York, California and the District of Columbia are its choices for the final homes for its retired space shuttles.

www.upi.com...

A far as the topic of this thread, at the risk of alienating (oh look a pun) my fellow Shuttle groupies and as someone with a keen interest in the Shuttle program from day one, I'll quote myself from my prior related thread For Sale: Space Shuttle

"Perhaps if the State of Texas was not so vocal on their hellbent cockamamie idea to secede from the US, with their collective "We hate America" stance they might have been viewed as a more viable option. Their unwelcoming attitude seems to resent all things American and it would serve to deprive the balance of the patriotic US citizenry of enjoying the pleasure of touring the shuttle. "

Granted there is a rich legacy of Houston's role in America's Space Program but actions have consequences and the citizens have elected and seem to support their elected politicians of Texas who have made no bones about their disdain for the collective United States.

Example: Bill on Texas Secession presented to Texas Legislature

Sorry just my .02¢ I'll wait to see how this plays out like everyone else with interest. Of course I am tickled pink that "Atlantis" will end up in my home state of Florida. I can't wait to FINALLY tour one and check that off my bucket list. Yiiipppeee!