Space Center Houston552

At NASA/Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston allows families to relive the achievements of the NASA space program and witness history in the making. This one-of-a-kind experience, found only in Houston, is the perfect destination for tourists or locals seeking something different.

Everything in the visitors' center facility is realistic. Space Center's creators kept in close contact with NASA to ensure the most accurate experience. Each attraction is self-guided, so families can spend as much or as little time in each area as they want.

The main entry room, the Space Center Plaza, hosts traveling exhibits and has a full-size Space Shuttle Mock-up which offers a close-up look at the middeck and flight deck of the orbiter, from control consoles to sleeping quarters.

At Mission Status Center, knowledgeable Mission Briefing Officers provide up-to-the-minute information about space flight and training activities. During missions, Mission Status Center shares communication between Johnson Space Center's Mission Control and the astronauts orbiting on board the shuttle.

The Feel of Space offers hands-on experiences; here, kids can land the shuttle or retrieve a satellite through computer simulation.

In the Destiny Theater, the film On Human Destiny brings great moments of space exploration to the big screen. Then, families can walk through the history of the manned space program, starting with a model of the Goddard Rocket. Three capsules actually flown in space are on display.

The Space Center Theater seats more than 500 guests and features a giant, five-story screen to show astronauts training in the 25-minute film To Be An Astronaut.

Tram tours take visitors behind the scenes at Johnson Space Center and are led by knowledgeable guides. The tours visit various sites, including the X-38 Assembly Building and the Shuttle Mock-up Facility. Tour length varies depending on building availability but ranges from 60 to 90 minutes.

Kids Space Place was created for children of all ages who have always dreamed of experiencing the same things astronauts do in space. Interactive exhibits and themed areas allow kids to explore and experiment with walking on the moon, commanding the space shuttle, and living on the space station.

Summer and Spring Break day camp programs are available for children ages four to 14. Call 281.244.2148 for registration information.