Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Space Center Houston

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Space Center Houston

The Space Centre Houston located in Texas first began as a Task Group in 1958. The group of NASA engineers was required to man spacecraft programs such as Project Mercury. Once the organization began to grow in size, it was renamed the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in 1961.

In 1963, MCS conducted its first flight control, Gemini IV. The Gemini program came to an end and the Apollo Program began soon thereafter.  With a goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Apollo program was tasked with landing men on the moon safely.

Houston and the Manned Space Centre were in the limelight on July 20, 1969. A Spaceship had landed safely on the moon with Neil Armstrong on board. Armstrong uttered the now-famous words ‘Houston, the Eagle has landed.’ These were followed hours later by the phrase ‘That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.’ Armstrong uttered those words after descending the Lunar Module ‘Eagle’ and taking the historic first step on the moon.

In honor of the US president Johnson who died in 1973, the center changed its name once again to the Johnson Space Center. This was done due to President Johnson’s role in the establishment of NASA. In 1958 while President Lyndon B. Johnson was a Senate Majority Leader, he played an integral role in the establishment of NASA.

Located in the Johnson Space Center in Texas, the Space Center is responsible for the development, design, and operation of human space flight. The Space Centre is also used for astronaut training and research and was the control center for the momentous moon landing.

The Space Centre has been at the forefront of human space flight operations for NASA ever since. The Space Centre is still used as a mission control and training ground for US Astronauts. Over the years, the Space Centre has controlled flights such as Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and the Apollo-Soyuz as well as the current Shuttle program.

The Space Centre’s operations include developing, producing, and delivery of the Space Shuttle orbiters. The Space Centre is also tasked with the testing of spacecraft-associated systems, the development, and integration of experiments for human space flight activities as well as supporting scientific engineering and medical research. Additionally, the Space Centre also handles the selection and training of astronauts and the operation of human space flights.

Below are 10 incredible facts about the Space Center Houston.

1. You are allowed to visit the Space Centre’s launch site

The Space Shuttle Challenger launched from Complex 39. Photo by NASA on Unsplash

While visiting the Space Centre, you are allowed to visit the launch site which is where the space shuttles regularly depart from. While there, it’s possible for you to determine the next rocket launch date.

2. The Space Centre has trained astronauts for more than 40 years

Space Center Houston Apollo 17. Photo by Pi3.124/Wikimedia Commons

The Space Centre has been training men and women since it began its operations more than 40 years ago. To date, more than 3,000 individuals have been trained.

3. The Space Centre Summer Camp is extremely popular

Apollo 11 Command Module at Space Center Houston in 2017. Photo by Pi3.124/Wikimedia Commons

The Space Centre summer Camp is a very popular activity for children. Due to its popularity, most people book the activity years in advance.

4. You must visit the entire base before you can proceed for an indoor tour

Space Shuttle mockup Independence mounted on top of a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft outside Space Center Houston. Photo by Alex Ruddick/Wikimedia Commons

There is a mandatory visit of the entire base before you can proceed inside the Space Centre. The exterior tram tour takes about one and a half hours

5. It can be a little cold inside the Space Centre

Space Center Houston Faith 7. Photo by Pi3.124/Wikimedia Commons

The temperature inside the Space Centre is always set at 60 degrees the season notwithstanding. To keep warm while inside the Space Centre, you can bring a light sweater or jacket.

6. The Space Centre receives about 800,000 visitors annually

Block 2 Command Module 115A and Service Module 115 are on display at the tip of the Saturn 5 in the Rocket Park at Space Center Houston. The launch escape system extends beyond the right of the frame. Photo by Pi3.124/Wikimedia Commons

A ticket to the Space Centre cost between USD 10 to USD 30 per person. The Space Centre receives about 800,000 visitors each year. It contributes about USD 45 million to the Houston economy.

7. The Saturn 5 rocket is on display at the Space Centre

A rear view of the Saturn 5 on display at the Space Center Houston in Texas. Photo by Leijurv/Wikimedia Commons

Between 1967 and 1972, the Space Centre launched a total of 13 Saturn 5 rockets. On display at the Space Centre is one of the three remaining in the United States. The exhibit highlights its assembly and the people who helped build it.

They were more than 400,000 people involved in building the rocket. The Saturn 5 hanger is as long as a football field. About 500 visitors can fit in at a time However, only 50 visitors are allowed in at a time.

The number is limited due to security reasons. Should you visit, you may have to wait in the queue for more than an hour.

8. NASA would like to explore beyond Mars

President John F. Kennedy speaks at Rice University in 1969. Photo by NASA/Wikimedia Commons

Staff at the Space Centre would like to venture beyond Mars. They are testing a space vehicle that can go beyond Mars. This will be the furthest any vehicle has traveled.

9. The Space Centre is one of the most popular tourist attraction sites in Houston

This is the actual Gemini spacecraft in which astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad flew on the Gemini 5 mission from 21st to 29th August 1965. This was the third manned flight of the Gemini program. Photo by Alan Wilson/Wikimedia Commons

A visit to the Space Centre is one of the activities you should engage in when in Houston.

The Centre has a collection of artifacts which include the Lunar Samples Vault, Lunar Module replica, Mercury 9 capsule, Lunar Rover Trainer, and the Gemini 5 capsule.

10. The most recent Genesis Program ended but there may be a re-launch

Apollo 17 Command Module, on display at Space Center Houston. Photo by OptoMechEngineer/Wikimedia Commons

The Genesis program into space ended with the return of the sample capsule. The objective of the program was to collect samples of solar wind particles. Upon re-entry into the earth, the samples would undergo a detailed analysis.

However, the parachute from the capsule did not deploy upon re-entry and the capsule crashed into the Utah desert. Scientists believe they can retrieve useful data despite the crash.

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, the Space Centre has one of the largest collections of artifacts in the United States. The artifacts which are more than 400 include flown space crafts and moon rocks that are on public display. There are a number of exhibitions a year. While there you can also visit Independence Plaza for a view of the shuttle replica which is mounted on the Boeing 745 Shuttle Carrier aircraft.