New Artifact: Gene Kranz’s Mug
Travel though space history in our Starship Gallery timeline and see a new artifact – Gene Kranz’s Mug. Flight controllers gave this custom mug to Flight Director Gene Kranz after a flu outbreak among his Mission Control team in the mid-1960’s. They jokingly called him “Flu FD,” short for “flu
New Artifact: Apollo-Era Data Acquisition Camera
Travel though space history in our Starship Gallery timeline and see a new artifact – a 16mm Apollo-era data acquisition camera. This camera was used in training Apollo astronauts. A motion picture camera like this was mounted on the lunar rover to record mission activities. The film was later viewed
VIDEO: Explore Space Center Houston in a new way
How did we get to space? What does it take to survive in orbit? Will you be the one to step foot on Mars? Break the bonds of gravity and go explore at Space Center Houston. Discover one-of-a-kind space exploration artifacts and interactive exhibits at Space City’s most iconic destination.
The story behind our Orbiter Access Arm
Have you seen the shuttle-era Orbiter Access Arm in Independence Plaza? Find out how this historic artifact found its way to Space City all the way from the Space Coast in today’s blog post. What is the Orbiter Access Arm? The Orbiter Access Arm (OAA), also called the gantry, spanned
Space Center Houston adds new lunar sample
Space Center Houston has a new lunar sample on display! Sample no. 76015 is displayed in our Lunar Vault, pictured above in his home, our display case. What is it? What makes it special? Where did it come from? We’re glad you asked. A lunar meteorite Sample no. 76015 is
Solving Space: Gemini III Launch
Gemini III launched March 23, 1965 with Prime Crew astronauts Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom and John W. Young. NASA’s two-man Gemini spaceflights demonstrated that astronauts could change their capsule’s orbit, remain in space for at least two weeks and work outside their spacecraft–all essential skills to land on the moon
Solving Space: Apollo 17
Apollo 17 was the last mission in which humans traveled to the Moon. It launched on Dec. 7, 1972; 12:33 a.m. EST, with crew Eugene A. Cernan, Commander, Harrison H. Schmitt, Lunar Module Pilot, Ronald E. Evans, Command Module Pilot. It landed on the lunar surface on Dec. 11, 1972.
Solving Space: Skylab 1-G Trainer
How could astronauts live and work in space for prolonged periods of time? Apollo missions had lasted a maximum of no more than two weeks. But NASA had a bigger vision: Skylab, America’s first space station. First, though, the NASA team needed to learn how to support the Skylab
Monthly Quiz: Independence Plaza
In 2016, Independence Plaza presented by Boeing opened to the public! In celebration of Independence Plaza’s fifth anniversary, take our monthly quiz to test out your knowledge of this landmark exhibit!
Solving Space: Happy 5th Anniversary, Independence Plaza!
Five years ago, Independence Plaza presented by Boeing opened as a permanent exhibit here at Space Center Houston! This international landmark offers an experience like nothing else in the world: visitors can enter the shuttle replica Independence, mounted on top of the historic and original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft,
