Texas, Ohio not happy about L.A. getting space shuttle

Some folks are claiming that politics factored into the decision.Texans, in particular, can't understand why the home of NASA's Mission Control could be passed over (they actually have a point). Both states were considered favorites to get one of the three retiring spacecraft. From the LAT:

"It is unthinkable that the home of human space flight would not represent the ideal home for a retired orbiter," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas). Houston Mayor Annise Parker said in a statement, "There was no other city with our history of human space flight or more deserving of a retiring orbiter. It is unfortunate that political calculations have prevailed in the final decision." Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) branded the decision "tawdry politics."

Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, joined other members of Ohio's congressional delegation in calling for an investigation into the selection process. Of course, let's not forget that much of the material used in the shuttles was developed and built in Cali.

Earlier: California Science Center gets space shuttle Endeavor