The official visitors’ centre for NASA, Space Center Houston has served as Mission Control for many iconic space flights, including the first moon landing in 1969. Learn about life in space and tour the grounds of Houston’s top tourist destination.
Built in 1961 under the direction of President John F. Kennedy, the Johnson Space Center was originally called the Center for Human Spaceflight and then came to be known as simply Mission Control. Kennedy wanted the USA to land a man on the moon by the end of the 60s, and the centre was used by NASA for research and astronaut training. The centre became the ground control centre during many flights, and most famously during the first moon landing. The centre is used today and continues to play a vital role as a training ground and as NASA’s Mission Control.
Visitors for the centre can learn what life is like for astronauts sent into space by taking a ride on the flight simulator and experiencing lift-off on a mock space mission. Head to the spacesuit gallery and the display of space shuttles and capsules to admire the technology used. Take a seat in the Blast Off IMAX Theater to immerse yourself in a rocket launch, complete with all the noise, smoke and hot air.
The Living Space Module holds daily demonstrations of the lives of astronauts in space, answering questions such as “What do you eat in space?” and “How do you take a shower when there’s no gravity?”. Learn about the training machines used by astronauts and take a look at rockets and command modules that have actually been into space.
Go behind the scenes at the Johnson Space Center on a special tour. The Level 9 Tour lasts four hours and provides a detailed insight into the facility, including lunch in the Astronaut Cafeteria. Alternatively, take the simpler Tram Tour that guides you through Mission Control and training facilities. Space on both of these tours is limited, so make sure you book in advance.
End your day at the gift shop, where you can sample a freeze-dried ice-cream sandwich, a treat for astronauts in space!
The Houston Space Center is located about 30 minutes from downtown Houston and has free parking on-site. The centre charges an entrance fee, with an additional charge for the tours.
